The FFM API: OpenJDK Changed the Game for Native Interactions and #JavaOnRaspberryPi

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:00:02 +0000

If you’re working with Pi4J, you’re essentially using a Java library that bridges the gap between your Java application and the GPIO hardware on a Raspberry Pi. The beauty of Pi4J lies in how it hides the complexity of native library integration and the Java Native Interface (JNI). It lets you focus on building great applications rather than dealing with low-level system calls.

My involvement with Pi4J started around 2020 while writing the book “Getting Started with Java on the Raspberry Pi”. Despite years of contributing to the project, the deeper layers of Pi4J’s codebase still challenge me. Take a look at this snippet and tell me if you understand what’s going on:

Java 25: JEP 512, JBang, Notebooks, GraallPy and Raspberry Pi for Interactive Learning

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 07:00:03 +0000

When most people think of Java, their minds jump immediately to enterprise software, Android applications, or large back-end systems that power banking, insurance, and healthcare platforms. Rarely does Java come up in the context of exploratory learning, lightweight experimentation, or interactive notebooks that data scientists and educators love to use.

The world of programming education is rapidly evolving, with tools that prioritize interactivity, accessibility, and hands-on experience gaining prominence. JEP 512, JBang, Jupyter Notebooks, GraalPy, and the Raspberry Pi form a dynamic ecosystem that empowers students, educators, and hobbyists to explore programming concepts in an engaging and practical way. Together, these technologies bridge the gap between software and hardware, making them ideal for learning Java and hardware programming on a budget-friendly platform like the Raspberry Pi. This article explores how these tools converge to create an innovative environment for interactive learning, fostering creativity and problem-solving in educational settings.

Raspberry on JAVAPRO International

The FFM API: OpenJDK Changed the Game for Native Interactions and #JavaOnRaspberryPi

Java 25: JEP 512, JBang, Notebooks, GraallPy and Raspberry Pi for Interactive Learning