# Protocol Buffers - Google's data interchange format
Copyright 2008 Google Inc.
https://developers.google.com/protocol-buffers/
## Use Java Protocol Buffers
To use protobuf in Java, first obtain the protocol compiler (a.k.a., protoc,
see instructions in the toplevel [README.md](../README.md)) and use it to
generate Java code for your .proto files:
$ protoc --java_out=${OUTPUT_DIR} path/to/your/proto/file
Include the generated Java files in your project and add a dependency on the
protobuf Java runtime.
### Maven
If you are using Maven, use the following:
```xml
com.google.protobuf
protobuf-java
3.21.1
```
Make sure the version number of the runtime matches (or is newer than) the
version number of the protoc.
If you want to use features like protobuf JsonFormat, add a dependency on the
protobuf-java-util package:
```xml
com.google.protobuf
protobuf-java-util
3.21.1
```
### Gradle
If you are using Gradle, add the following to your `build.gradle` file's dependencies:
```
implementation 'com.google.protobuf:protobuf-java:3.21.1'
```
Again, be sure to check that the version number matches (or is newer than) the version number of protoc that you are using.
### Use Java Protocol Buffers on Android
For Android users, it's recommended to use protobuf Java Lite runtime because
of its smaller code size. Java Lite runtime also works better with Proguard
because it doesn't rely on Java reflection and is optimized to allow as much
code stripping as possible. You can following these [instructions to use Java
Lite runtime](lite.md).
### Use Java Protocol Buffers with Bazel
Bazel has native build rules to work with protobuf. For Java, you can use the
`java_proto_library` rule for server and the `java_lite_proto_library` rule
for Android. Check out [our build files examples](../examples/BUILD) to learn
how to use them.
## Build from Source
Most users should follow the instructions above to use protobuf Java runtime.
If you are contributing code to protobuf or want to use a protobuf version
that hasn't been officially released yet, you can follow the instructions
below to build protobuf from source code.
### Build from Source - With Maven
1) Install Apache Maven if you don't have it:
http://maven.apache.org/
2) Build the C++ code, or obtain a binary distribution of protoc (see
the toplevel [README.md](../README.md)). If you install a binary
distribution, make sure that it is the same version as this package.
If in doubt, run:
$ protoc --version
You will need to place the protoc executable in ../src. (If you
built it yourself, it should already be there.)
3) Run the tests:
$ mvn test
If some tests fail, this library may not work correctly on your
system. Continue at your own risk.
4) Install the library into your Maven repository:
$ mvn install
5) If you do not use Maven to manage your own build, you can build a
.jar file to use:
$ mvn package
The .jar will be placed in the "target" directory.
The above instructions will install 2 maven artifacts:
* protobuf-java: The core Java Protocol Buffers library. Most users only
need this artifact.
* protobuf-java-util: Utilities to work with protos. It contains JSON support
as well as utilities to work with proto3 well-known
types.
### Build from Source - Without Maven
If you would rather not install Maven to build the library, you may
follow these instructions instead. Note that these instructions skip
running unit tests and only describes how to install the core protobuf
library (without the util package).
1) Build the C++ code, or obtain a binary distribution of protoc. If
you install a binary distribution, make sure that it is the same
version as this package. If in doubt, run:
$ protoc --version
If you built the C++ code without installing, the compiler binary
should be located in ../src.
2) Invoke protoc to build DescriptorProtos.java:
$ protoc --java_out=core/src/main/java -I../src \
../src/google/protobuf/descriptor.proto
3) Compile the code in core/src/main/java using whatever means you prefer.
4) Install the classes wherever you prefer.
## Compatibility Notice
* Protobuf minor version releases are backwards-compatible. If your code
can build/run against the old version, it's expected to build/run against
the new version as well. Both binary compatibility and source compatibility
are guaranteed for minor version releases if the user follows the guideline
described in this section.
* Protobuf major version releases may also be backwards-compatible with the
last release of the previous major version. See the release notice for more
details.
* APIs marked with the @ExperimentalApi annotation are subject to change. They
can be modified in any way, or even removed, at any time. Don't use them if
compatibility is needed. If your code is a library itself (i.e. it is used on
the CLASSPATH of users outside your own control), you should not use
experimental APIs, unless you repackage them (e.g. using ProGuard).
* Deprecated non-experimental APIs will be removed two years after the release
in which they are first deprecated. You must fix your references before this
time. If you don't, any manner of breakage could result (you are not
guaranteed a compilation error).
* Protobuf message interfaces/classes are designed to be subclassed by protobuf
generated code only. Do not subclass these message interfaces/classes
yourself. We may add new methods to the message interfaces/classes which will
break your own subclasses.
* Don't use any method/class that is marked as "used by generated code only".
Such methods/classes are subject to change.
* Protobuf LITE runtime APIs are not stable yet. They are subject to change even
in minor version releases.
## Documentation
The complete documentation for Protocol Buffers is available via the
web at:
https://developers.google.com/protocol-buffers/
## Kotlin Protocol Buffers
Code to support more idiomatic Kotlin protocol buffers has been added to the
repository, and Kotlin support will be launched in the next numbered release.