The KindFTP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is KindFTP?

   KindFTP is an Java implementation of the client side of the FTP protocol, as specified in RFC959.

2. What is the KindFTP license like?

   KindFTP is released under a BSD-based license.

3. What is the history of KindFTP?

   KindFTP was originally implemented as a test component of the PeeChee architecture in 1998. PeeChee was a peer-to-peer file/data-sharing network akin to Napster, Gnutella and their ilk, though a year ahead of everyone. To be able to test the client software without a server, we used FTP servers to simulate PeeChee servers via this component.

4. How do I get the source?

   The full source is included with the KindFTP release. Development is hosted at GitHub.

5. What tools are used to develop KindFTP?

   Ant	iContract	Jacob	JDE
   JDK	jUnit	Hyperbole	Infodock
   OO-Browser	RedHat Linux	Solaris	XEmacs

6. How is the version tag of KindFTP determined?

   The version number is a monotonically increasing version number followed by the release month and year.

7. How is the source code organized?

   The original source code is found in the top-level directory source. The directory instrumented contains the source code with contracts instrumented by iContract. Finally, the directory repository can be ignored as it contains metadata used by iContract. Classfiles built from original source are located in the classes directory, instrumented classfiles are in instrumented.

8. How is the reusable libraries (i.e., jar files) organized?

   All jar files are located in the libs directory. The non-instrumented KindFTP classfiles are contained in the file KindFTP.jar. The instrumented version is contained in KindFTP-i.jar. The IDebug library used by KindFTP is contained in the jar file IDebug.jar. You must include at least one of the two KindFTP libraries as well as the IDebug library to use the KindFTP package.

9. How does KindFTP compare to other Java alternatives?

   What Java alternatives? Seriously, we do not know of any other Open Source FTP implementations that are complete. If you know of an alternative, drop us a note and we'll write up a comparison.

If you have any questions that you'd like added to this FAQ, please email your suggestions to kiniry@acm.org. Thanks!