The Java Image I/O API
provides a pluggable architecture for working with images stored in
files and accessed across the network. It offers substantially more
flexibility and power than the previously available APIs for
loading and saving images.
The API provides a framework for
the addition of format-specific plug-ins. Plug-ins for several
common formats will be included with the standard Java SDK; other
plug-ins will be available from Sun and from third parties. A
voting process has been established where Java developers may
indicate their interest in particular formats. See: