What is a .WAR file?
A .WAR file is a special type of file used in web development. It stands for Java Web Archive and is like a box that holds different parts of a web application. These parts are written in Java, a popular programming language. Just like a .JAR file, which is another type of Java file, a .WAR file compresses these parts to make them smaller and easier to move around. However, a .WAR file is special because it also tells the web server how to run the web application by pointing out the main Java program to start with.
To open a .WAR file, you can use several programs. Apache Tomcat is a popular choice because it's specifically designed to run Java web applications, making it perfect for .WAR files. Other programs like unrar and File Viewer Plus, which you can download from the Microsoft store, can also open .WAR files but they might just let you see what's inside rather than run the application. If you're looking to manage the file, like unzip it, you could use software like Smith Micro StuffIt Deluxe, RARLAB WinRAR, ESTsoft ALZip, Corel WinZip, or Smith Micro StuffIt Deluxe Mac 16. These programs help you extract the contents of the .WAR file, but to actually run the web application as intended, using Apache Tomcat is your best bet.
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