In the context of advanced Java programming, a “stub” typically refers to a component used in remote method invocation (RMI). RMI is a mechanism that allows objects to invoke methods on objects running in another Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
A stub in RMI acts as a local representative or proxy for the remote object. When a client invokes a method on the stub, the stub is responsible for marshalling the parameters, sending them to the remote object, and then unmarshalling the results. Essentially, the stub facilitates communication between the client and the remote object, making it appear as if the client is invoking methods on a local object.
So, in summary, in the context of advanced Java and RMI, a stub is a client-side proxy for a remote object that handles communication and method invocation between the client and the remote object.