Create Executable Jar file

How do I creat a Executable Jar file?

on my WIndows XP jars are automatically "executable".
if its not on yours (you can check) check out this thread:
http://forum.java.sun.com/thread.jspa?threadID=653572&tstart=0

Similar Messages

How to create executable jar files??

how to create executable jar files??
thx :)

Using JAR Files to Deploy
http://developer.java.sun.com/developer/onlineTraining/Programming/BasicJava2/jar.html#jar

Unable to create Executable JAR file

Hi,
I tried to create Executable JAR file for
//JarTest.java
class JarTest
     public static void main( String args[] )
          System.out.println("i am EXECUTABLE JAR ");
mf is like
Manifest-Version: 1.0
Main-Class: JarTest
used jar cmf JarTest.mf exe.jar *.classIt created a jar file but i can't Execute the file
Help me
Thanks
AE

java is choosy about the actual manifest file format (line ending, trailing empty line, whatever).
This works for me with your example:
posman@proli:~/ivan/aa> cat mf
Manifest-Version: 1.0
Main-Class: JarTest
posman@proli:~/ivan/aa> od -cx mf
0000000   M   a   n   i   f   e   s   t   -   V   e   r   s   i   o   n
        614d 696e 6566 7473 562d 7265 6973 6e6f
0000020   :       1   .   0 \n   M   a   i   n   -   C   l   a   s   s
        203a 2e31 0a30 614d 6e69 432d 616c 7373
0000040   :       J   a   r   T   e   s   t \n \n \0
        203a 614a 5472 7365 0a74 000a

Creating an Executable jar file

Hello ! I have a application that has been fully developed and all i want to do is to create an executable file using my own icon so that whenever it is double clicked it opens up the appliation.
Please provide an example fro easy refrence.
Thanks

i have the procedure for creating executable jar file in a separate file.
if u r interested then mail me at:
[email protected]
regards
Md. Afroze

Creating an executable jar-file including a custom package

I am trying to learn how to create executable jar-files. I have managed this with a single class. However having a class which is an extention of another class which in turn belongs to custom package, I can't make it work.Running the program normally is not a problem. I don't think the problem is the actual code, but I will include it here anyway. I create the jar-file using:
jar -cmf Direkt2b.txt Direkt2b.jar *.class
where Direkt2b.txt is just:
Main-Class: Diriekt2b
Only the main class-file is included this way. Copying the other file to the same directory before creation doesn't help either. There is no error messages, the jar-file just refuses to run no matter what.
The main-class:
import java.awt.*;
import extra.*;
class Direkt2b extends ExtendedFrame {
     Font f;
     Direkt2b() {
          f = new Font("SansSerif", Font.BOLD, 24);
          setBackground(Color.yellow);
          setSize(400,150);
     public void paint(Graphics g) {
          g.setFont(f);
          g.setColor(Color.blue);
          g.drawString("V?lkommen till Java Direkt", 45, 100);
     public static void main (String[] arg) {
          Direkt2b d2 = new Direkt2b();
          d2.setVisible(true);
The help-class:
package extra;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
public class ExtendedFrame extends Frame {
     private static boolean first = true;
     private boolean isFirst = first;
     public ExtendedFrame() {
          addWindowListener(theListener);
          first=false;
     WindowAdapter theListener = new WindowAdapter () {
          public void windowClosing(WindowEvent e) {
          dispose();
          if (isFirst)
               System.exit(0);
}

My problem wasn't really getting more than one class in a jar-file,
but rather that my jar-file with multiple classes wouldn't execute.
Reading the original post I realized that maybe I was unclear about that.
However I have solved the problem now so for anybody reading this
thread in the future I will tell you how.
The general setting is this: You have a bunch of self-made help-classes
organized in some classdirectory somewhere in the filesystem. You use these
in your programming from time to time. You have set a classpath-varible
in your OS such that Java could find your help-classes.
Now you want to create executable jar-files so that you could publish your work.
My problem was that while I added all needed classes in a jar-file, the main-class
couldn't find the others because they were referenced incorrectly. The solution I
came up with may not be elegant, but it works. I copied the main-class and all directories
(only one in my case) just as they appear in the classpath-directory, to the same temporary
directory. Then I created the jar-file from there, using: jar -cmfv Direkt2b.txt Direkt2b.jar Direkt2b.class extra/*.class
I suspected that incorrect referencing was the problem and I tried several variations on the theme above
before giving up and writing the first post. Part the problem was that I didn't get any error messages,
just an annoying error-sound double-clicking the jar-file. I learned later that you could run jar-files from
the command -prompt using: java -jar myjarfile.jar. This way you get a more useful response.
I guess there is a way to include the classpath instead somehow, but I will use my method for now.
I hope this was helpful to somebody.

Classpath is not working for executable jar file

I have created executable jar file using following command where manifest file contains Main-Class and Class-Path entries.
jar cvfm app.jar META-INF/* lib/* *.class
So here app.jar contains my external jar's in lib directory
but when I move app.jar to another directory, it's doesn't get my external files.
I'm not getting this problem as these jar's are in app.jar
class-path entry in manifest file:
Class-Path: lib/abc.jar lib/xyz.jar
Pls help me where it is getting fail?
Thanks in advance,
Vikas

Java doesn't handle jars within jars. Your library jars need to be outside of the executable jar as in
dist - main.jar
- lib - lib1.jar
- lib2.jar

Can we make executable jar file which dont have main method?

I have a problem.
With whatever R&D i have done so far my understanding is that in order to create executable jar files i need a main method.
my problem is i have certain MIS reports which are developed in java and deployed through JSP pages...so my java program has no Main Method and only objects of the classes are being called in the JSP pages.
for e.g: i have a java class file BulkSms.class and i make an object of it in the JSP page through which my purpose is achieved by calling various method in the BulkSms through it s objects and there is no main method.
Can i make an executable jar file without a main method and if so please give me a detailed procedure of how to go about it.
i want to make it executable so tht on the click of it the MIS report is displayed from the JSP page.

I am completely ignorant of JSPs, but you can not execute a jar or any java application unless you have a main method. It sounds like you need a way to launch the JSP - can't you do this with a browser?

Unable to create an executable jar file

Hi,
I am unable to create an executable jar file,
I am using the command as follows:
C\> jar cvfm MyJarName.jar manifest.txt Demo.class
where as Demo.class has appropriate main method; manifest.txt contains [ Main-Class: Demo ] and a new line
Please help.
thanks & regards
M K Rayapudi
Edited by: R6i on Apr 30, 2009 5:15 AM

Your jar is perfectly generated, but your machine has a problem with .jar file associations.
You have two options:
1. Play with the registry. Dangereous if you are not used to.
2. Reinstall the jre.
Just to verify my theory, open a command prompt and the command:
reg query HKCR\jarfile\shell\open\command
What does it say? I have executed your command , here is the output
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\jarfile\shell\open\command
(Default) REG_SZ "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\javaw.exe" -jar "%1" %*I am not getting anything from this command, can you please explain clearly.
thanks & regards
M K Rayapudi
Edited by: R6i on May 3, 2009 10:18 PM

Execute jar file: "could not find the main class" program will terminate

Hey,
I am new to Java. I have started to make a small java program which supposed to help me at my studies to lean the Dominic Memory System. I have used the latest version of Netbeans 5.5.1 to build my program in. I have two problems which I cannot figure out how to solve, please help me.
The first problem is that the java script I have made works when I compile it in Netbeans, but when I create a Jar file it does not work. I receive a pop up message in windows ?could not find the main class program will terminate? when I execute the jar file.
The second problem I have is that I need to compare the strings generated by the "numbers" and "TIP" and if the numbers is not identical the numbers in the ?Center? JPanel should be highlighted as red.
If anyone would like to clean up the code I would be pleased. I have copied quite a lot from anyone because of my one lack of knowledge.
* GoListener.java
* Created on 12. september 2007, 21:48
* To change this template, choose Tools | Template Manager
* and open the template in the editor.
package grandmaster;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;
import java.util.Vector;
import java.util.StringTokenizer;
import java.awt.Color;
* @author Computer
public class GoListener implements ActionListener {
private JTextField viewer;
private JTextField TIP;
private JTextField freq;
private JTextField max_num;
private Vector numbers;
public GoListener(JTextField j,JTextField k, JTextField m, JTextField f, Vector n) {
freq = f;
max_num = m;
viewer = j;
numbers = n;
TIP = k;
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e){
int time = Integer.valueOf(max_num.getText());
int f = Integer.valueOf(freq.getText());
if (e.getActionCommand() == "GO") {
for (int i = 0; i< time;++i) {
int number=0;
number = (int)Math.floor(100*Math.random());
while(number>51){
number = (int)Math.floor(100*Math.random());
if(number<=9){
viewer.setText(" "+"0" + String.valueOf(number) + " ");
} else{
viewer.setText(" " + String.valueOf(number) + " ");
viewer.paintImmediately(viewer.getBounds());
numbers.add(number);
try {
Thread.sleep(f*1000);
} catch (Exception exp) {
viewer.setText(" XX ");
viewer.paintImmediately(viewer.getBounds());
if (e.getActionCommand() == "VIEW") {
try {
//int numb = Integer.valueOf( TIP.getText() ).intValue();
StringTokenizer tokenizer = new StringTokenizer(TIP.getText(), " ");
String[] split = null;
int tokenCount = tokenizer.countTokens();
if (tokenCount > 0) {
split = new String[tokenCount];
for (int current = 0; current < tokenCount; current++) {
split[current] = tokenizer.nextToken();
viewer.setText(" " + String.valueOf(numbers) + " ");
// k=numbers(1);
/*while(c<i){
String.valueOf(k).equals(split[1]);
c++;
TIP.setText(" " + split[2] + " ");
} catch (Exception exp) {
try {
//string testit = numb.toString();
//String str = "" + numb;
//viewer.setText(str);
//viewer.setText(numbers.toString());
numbers.clear();
} catch (Exception exp) {
* Main.java
* Created on 12. september 2007, 21:07
* To change this template, choose Tools | Template Manager
* and open the template in the editor.
package grandmaster;
import java.util.Vector;
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.JButton;
import java.awt.*;
import grandmaster.GoListener;
* @author Computer
public class Main extends JFrame {
private JTextField viewer;
public JTextField TIP;
// private TextInputPanel TIP;
private Vector numbers;
/** Creates a new instance of Main */
public Main() {
numbers = new Vector();
JPanel p = new JPanel(new GridLayout(0,4));
JButton go = new JButton();
JButton view_num = new JButton();
go.setText("Go!");
go.setVisible(true);
go.setActionCommand("GO");
view_num.setText("VIEW");
view_num.setVisible(true);
view_num.setActionCommand("VIEW");
JTextField max_num = new JTextField();
max_num.setText("5");
JTextField freq = new JTextField();
freq.setText("1");
viewer = new JTextField();
viewer.setText("XX");
TIP = new JTextField("");
p.add(go);
p.add(max_num);
p.add(freq);
p.add(view_num);
getContentPane().add(p,BorderLayout.NORTH);
getContentPane().add(viewer,BorderLayout.CENTER);
getContentPane().add(TIP,BorderLayout.SOUTH);
setSize(200,200);
GoListener g = new GoListener(viewer,TIP,max_num, freq, numbers);
go.addActionListener(g);
view_num.addActionListener(g);
* @param args the command line arguments
public static void main(String[] args) {
// TODO code application logic here
Main window = new Main();
window.setVisible(true);
}

NetBeans questions should be posted to the NB site. It has mailing lists and associated forums.
This tutorial from the NB site addresses running programs outside of NB
http://www.netbeans.org/kb/articles/javase-deploy.html
When you compare objects, use ".equals()" and reserve == for comparing values.

Executable JAR file: Could not find the main class.

Hello,
I have a problem with making an executable JAR file.
I have written a JAVA program that consists of five different classes of which User.java is the main class and I have saved a text document with Main-Class: User and a blank line after that.
If I try:
jar cmf MainClass.txt User.jar User.class Beheerder.class Operator.class Manager.class MaakVisueelSchema.class
it makes a executable jar file which actually works! :)
But when the Operator class trys to open the MaakVisueelSchema class the screen stays blank.
I can run MaakVisueelSchema with java MaakVisueelSchema.
So I tried to make an executable JAR that consists only of MaakVisueelSchema, the same way as I did for User:
Main-Class: MaakVisueelSchema
jar cmf MainClass.txt MaakVisueelSchema.jar MaakVisueelSchema.class
Then I get the error message:
Could not find the main class. Program will exit.
from the Java Virtual Machine Launcher.
The big difference between MaakVisueelSchema and the other classes is that MaakVisueelSchema contains a PaintComponent method and an ComponentListener. Is it possible that one of those creates the error?
Can anyone help me with this problem?
Thanks in advance!
Bye!

Yes,
I tried:
jar xvf MaakVisueelSchema.jar
and it returns:
META-INF/
META-INF/MANIFEST.MF
MaakVisueelSchema.classN/G. You need to manually create a manifest file in a text editor, have it point to your main class, and enter it in your jar command as an argument.

Help To Create a Jar File

hi there
i wanna create a exe file so i am trying to use jar file.
I am new at creating jar files, my application has a main file and other java files, i am using other java files in my main file my concern is can i create a jar file including all the files and when i run jar file i want to complie java files, i really appreciate if anyone can help me out creating a jar file to compile and execute java files

http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/docs/guide/jar/index.html

Problem creating an jar file!

Hello.
I am trying to create an executable jar file using the following command:
jar cmf MANIFEST.MF game.jar *.classHowever, I keep receiving the following error:
java.io.FileNotFoundException: MANIFEST.MF (The system cannot find the file spec
ified)
        at java.io.FileInputStream.open(Native Method)
        at java.io.FileInputStream.<init>(FileInputStream.java:64)
        at sun.tools.jar.Main.run(Main.java:124)
        at sun.tools.jar.Main.main(Main.java:904)Why am I getting this error and how can I correct this?

Did you create a file called MANIFEST.MF? Is it in the same directory you are in now?
And by the way, according to what I see when I run the jar command, you need to specify the jar file first, and then the manifest file:Usage: jar {ctxu}[vfm0Mi] [jar-file] [manifest-file] [-C dir] files ...
Options:
    -c create new archive
    -t list table of contents for archive
    -x extract named (or all) files from archive
    -u update existing archive
    -v generate verbose output on standard output
    -f specify archive file name
    -m include manifest information from specified manifest file
    -0 store only; use no ZIP compression
    -M do not create a manifest file for the entries
    -i generate index information for the specified jar files
    -C change to the specified directory and include the following file
If any file is a directory then it is processed recursively.
The manifest file name and the archive file name needs to be specified
in the same order the 'm' and 'f' flags are specified.
Example 1: to archive two class files into an archive called classes.jar:
       jar cvf classes.jar Foo.class Bar.class
Example 2: use an existing manifest file 'mymanifest' and archive all the
           files in the foo/ directory into 'classes.jar':
       jar cvfm classes.jar mymanifest -C foo/ .

What is the command to create a jar file through Command Promt?

Hi,
I done my java project. Now i need to create a exe or jar file to fully complete it. I decided to create a jar file. Because, It'll support both PC and MAC. I exported my JAR file through eclipse. But that jar file loads without images and icons when it is in other directory. How can i include images folder in a JAR File.
For ex:
I have parent folder named "Support". Under this there is 3 subfolder namely
bin - Classes
src - java files
images - image files.
I need to create jar file to "Support" folder which should contain all the above mentioned sub folders.
I need to execute this jar file anywhere which should not depend on the above mentioned folders which mean adding the images folder in that created jar file.
Pls guide me for this problem.
Thanks in advance
Regards,
Mohan

But that jar file loads without images and icons when it is in other directory.Images should be accessed via a URL rather than using a filename because they will exist as entries in the jar archive not as files. Typically this URL would be obtained by using the Class method [getResource()|http://java.sun.com/javase/6/docs/api/java/lang/Class.html#getResource(java.lang.String)]. There are details in this [Java World article|http://www.javaworld.com/javaworld/javaqa/2002-11/02-qa-1122-resources.html].

Deploying Java Desktop App using executable JAR files

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

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

Unable to execute JAR files

I am unable to execute jar files and applets. Also, the Java Web Start and the Java Plugin Control Panel will not load. I have unloaded the JRE and installed other versions. To date I have loaded and unloaded the following:
1.4.1
1.4.2_01, _02, _04
1.4.2_04 SDK
But no change in the outcome.
The javaw application starts but does not load the jar file.
The applets and jar files run fine on other computers with any of those JRE/SDK's installed.
Any suggestions would be helpful.

Command line
To create a JAR file >jar cvf filename.jar filename.class(s)
To view the contents of a JAR file >jar tvf filename.jar
To extract the contents of a JAR file >jar xf filename.jar
To extract specific files from a JAR file >jar xf filename.jar archived-file(s)
To run an application packaged as a JAR file
>jar xvf filename.jar META-INF/MANIFEST.MF
The above will place META-INF/MANIFEST.MF file in your working directory. Open this file in text editor. Under Version, type in
Main-Class: filename
example;
Manifest-Version: 1.0
Main-Class: SelectPurchase
Created-By: 1.3.0 (Sun Microsystems Inc.)
save file
update META-INF/MANIFEST.MF file in jar file with;
jar umf META-INF/MANIFEST.MF filename.jarto run jar file from command line;
java -jar filename.jarTo run an application packaged as a JAR file
(version 1.1) jre -cp app.jar MainClass
(version 1.2 -- requires Main-Class
manifest header)
To invoke an applet packaged as a JAR file <applet code=AppletClassName.class
archive="JarFileName.jar"
width=width height=height>
</applet>
Does anyone know how to get the application to run by clicking on a Desktop Icon?

Create Executable Jar file

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