[pdftex] \pdfliteral vs \write

[jackos]

Hello All!

I thought that \pdfliteral expands the content of its argument exactly 
as \write does. But there are at least one difference. In example

	\pdfliteral{^^j}
	\write16{^^j}

produce '*' character in both cases while

	\pdfliteral{^^J}
	\write16{^^J}

produces '^^J' in \write and just a newline in \pdfliteral (assuming 
\catcode`\^^J=12). Is this a trick to control newlines in pdf code:-? 
Are there any other differences?

Thanks, Pawel