Deploying Java Desktop App using executable JAR files

Question

Hi there.
Today I am very optimistic about java. I am a beginner, and I had tried (in my few free time) to understand how to deploy java desktop apps.
I am using the lattest NetBeans IDE to do the programming and it is very very fast and optimized.
Going to the point, I tried some time ago to deploy an application (made with this IDE) using JAR files, but even though the application run well on my IDE, when I packed it, it rised an error saying that
java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: org/netbeans/lib/awtextra/AbsoluteLayout
I was using an absolute layout on my JFrame forms and this AbsoluteLayout is provided by netbeans and not by the normal SDK.
I then looked for the absolute layout class and found a jar file in the following path:
C:\netbeans\modules\ext\AbsoluteLayout.jar
So I mounted the Jar file in my File Systems and then added the contents of the file to myApp.Jar file.
I used the automated Jar Recipe Packaging feature of netbeans, that is why I needed to mount the AbsoluteLayout.jar file into my file systems.
Now it runs fine by just right clicking the MyApp.jar file from Windows Explorer.
In a next reply to this topic I will include some sample code so that anybody requiring to do such implementation can take this for help.
Regards!
JN

Answer 1

Well,
I will take some time here to show the basic source code and procedure to create a desktop application, pack it up in a Jar file for deployment, add other classes or jars to the deployment jar file and finally open the jar file as an executable. This applies for either windows and linux environments.
Take in count i am using Netbeans IDE 3.x (3.5)
First I open the IDE and create a new project called MyDesktopApp. This is done by going to the menu Project / Project Manager. Then click on the New button and specify the project name and click on OK.
At this point, the Filesystems tab in the project explorer is empty. So I mount a directory to store myDesktopApp in it. I selected c:\MyDesktopApp but you can select any name you want.
To mount the directory you follow these steps:
1. Right-click on File Systems
2. From the contextual menu select Mount > Local Directory
3. In the filechooser window, you just browse it and SELECT the directory to mount. Be aware that you can even create the directory on this window. Do not enter (double-click) into the directory you want to mount, just select it and click on finish...
4.Then the directory entry appears under the filesystems node of the project explorer.
Now you have to create your application. You can either create a package (special configured and tracked directory) or you can create the clases directly inside the directory. For tidy project, I will create the package.
To create the package follow these instructions:
1. Right-click on the mounted directory and from the contextual menu select New > Java Package
2. In the New Wizard - Java Package window, type the package name and click on finish. I use the "MyDesktopApp" as package name.
OK. Now the package is created under the mounted directory. Now we have to create the Main Class. In this case I will use a JFRAME as the main class but you can create any class you want.
To create the JFRAME as main class follow these steps:
1. Right click on the java package you just created and select New>JFRAME from the contextual menu. If you do not see the JFRAME option on the NEW sub menu you will have to select the All Templates option. I explain the All Templates option now on, it will be easier to use the JFRAME if available. Once you use JFRAME with the all templates then the JFRAME will show up in further NEW usage.
2. So finally we used the All Templates, and you select the Java GUI Forms > JFRAME form option and click on NEXT.
3. Give it a name. (I used MyDesktopAppFrm) and click on finish. Be aware you can set advanced options by clicking on next. But for the purposes of this topic we will use default options so click on FINISH
4. A new JFRAME form appears inside your package. Right click on the form and select Set layout > Absolute Layout.
5. Add some controls and code. I added a label and a button. And coded the ActionPerformed event of the button to say hello! on the label. this is up to you. The code just looks as follows:
private void jButton1ActionPerformed(java.awt.event.ActionEvent evt) {
// Add your handling code here:
jLabel1.setText("Hello folks!");
6. Compile and execute the form.
Let's say this is our Desktop Application. Now We will pack it in a Jar in two steps...
A. Create a JAR file (Recipe)
1. Right-click on your package and select New > All Tempaltes (Long Route) You can also select New > JAR Recipe if available.
2. On the New Wizard Window, choose the JAR ARchives > JAR Recipe template and click on NEXT
3. I used MyDesktopApp as the file name and Defaults and then click on Next.
4. Specify the JAR Contents. Select the Package (not the mounted folder) from the mounted file system and click on add and then click on NEXT twice...
5. On the JAR Manifest window, click on GENERATE
6. Edit the manifest in the window to add the following code:
Main-Class: MyDesktopApp.MyDesktopAppFrm
7. Ensure the Main-Class definition is the same as your java package and JFRAME name. Click on FINISH
8. At this point we have a jar file in your project directory but this file wont run because it is missing some Netbeans clases that we will add in the next set of steps... Just to check, compile the file (right click on the JAR file and compile) and try to execute. It must compile but must not execute.(well if it executes you are done. It may execute if you did not set the lay out of the form as AbsoluteLayout)
B. Add the AbsoluteLayOut to the JAR
1. Right click on File Systems and select Mount > Archive Files
2. Look for your netbeans installation folder and select the following file:
.../netbeans/modules/ext/AbsoluteLayout.jar
3. Click on finish
4. Now the JAR File is mounted in the file systems.
5. Right-click on your MyDesktopApp.JAR file and select properties.
6. Look for the contents property click once on it and then on its elipsis button [...]
7. From the FileSystems box in the Contents window, select the AbsoluteLayOut file and click on Add
8. Then the system asks you if you are sure. Of course you are so click OK. (If not sure, just read the message text and click OK...:-))
9. Click on OK
10. Compile your JAR Recipe (right click on it and Compile)
11. Now you must be able to run the file by right clicking it and EXECUTE.
12. Also you must be able to run the file by double clicking the file from a Windows Explorer. You may receive a message asking to select the program to run the file with. You must browse and select the Javaw.exe file in the bin directory of your Java RUn Time installation. This is typically located at C:\j2sdk1.4.0_01\jre\bin or something like that. Use the File-Search feature of window to locate the JAVAW.exe file if needed.
I hope this long explanation helps somebody to deploy Java Desktop applications. Please reply the message if it helps you just to know it was useful.
Thanks for your time....
JN