Qusetion about Executable JAR files

I use the Eclipse IDE on Mac OS X Leopard. I was just wondering, if I create a JAR file on mac, can I send it to a Windows user and they can run it perfectly (Swing application)? Or do I need to export it differently to get it to work on windows. I just want all users to be able to use it.

Encephalopathic wrote:
briyu wrote:
I use the Eclipse IDE on Mac OS X Leopard. I was just wondering, if I create a JAR file on mac, can I send it to a Windows user and they can run it perfectly (Swing application)?It should work fine "out of the box". If it's important though, why not test it out? Have a buddy with a Windows computer test your app. ...(As usual) Great idea.
Swing apps. can be launched using [Java Web Start|http://java.sun.com/javase/technologies/desktop/javawebstart/index.jsp] . If you could provide a sand-boxed(1) version of your application, I am confident(2) people will be willing to give it a quick test. I cannot confirm anything about Windows, but would be willing to give it a try under Ubuntu Linux.
(1) If the app. uses files, it is handy to test if File paths are being formed correctly, but that would require an 'all-permissions' version that is not sand-boxed. Less people are willing to test code that is allowed to do 'anything' on their system.
(2) See [This 'new Plug-In' applet working?|http://forums.sun.com/thread.jspa?threadID=5396891] for an example.
Edit 1:
BTW - Welcome to the Sun forums.
+ minor text edits.
Edited by: AndrewThompson64 on Jul 12, 2009 2:37 AM

Similar Messages

Question about Executable JAR Files

Is it possible to make an executable JAR file that has all of the *.class files, all of the *.jar archives used, etc. packaged into one file that doesn't need these external files within the same directory? I've been having a ton of trouble finding the answer to this. (If it's blatantly obvious, please forgive me.)

Hello,
I went through the same thing recently. Here is a piece of the build file I use:
<project name="MyProj" basedir="." default="main">
    <property name="src.dir"     value="src"/>
    <property name="build.dir"   value="build"/>
    <property name="classes.dir" value="${build.dir}/classes"/>
    <property name="jar.dir"     value="${build.dir}/jar"/>
    <property name="main-class" value="MyProj.Main"/>
    <property name="lib.dir"     value="lib"/>
    <path id="classpath">
        <fileset dir="${lib.dir}" includes="**/*.jar"/>
    </path>
    <target name="compile">
        <mkdir dir="${classes.dir}"/>
        <javac srcdir="${src.dir}" destdir="${classes.dir}" classpathref="classpath"/>
    </target>
    <target name="jar" depends="compile">
        <mkdir dir="${jar.dir}"/>
        <jar destfile="${jar.dir}/${ant.project.name}.jar" basedir="${classes.dir}">
          <zipfileset src="lib/commons-codec-1.3.jar"/>
          <zipfileset src="lib/commons-fileupload-1.1.1.jar"/>
          <zipfileset src="lib/commons-httpclient-3.0.1.jar"/>
            <manifest>
                <attribute name="Main-Class" value="${main-class}"/>
            </manifest>
        </jar>
    </target>
    <target name="main" depends="clean,run"/>
</project>Note the <zipfileset> tags that contain the .jars.
There are, however, many good reasons to not do this. Some were already mentioned, another is in the case of update external libraries, you might not want to rebuild your whole project, replacing a jar may be easier.
Good luck,
-Sam

A few questions about executable Jar files

Hi,
I have to make an a tutorial system and was going to make it using applets embedded in webpages. This approach causes certain limitations so decided to make it using JPanels that open up as windows on the users computer.
I intend on compressing all the files (java, images, sound etc) within a Jar file and would like a few questions answering.
1. How would I make an executable Jar file that when clicked on will load the program on the users computer. Is there some software to do it for me or do I have to do it from the command prompt?
2. Is using a Jar file the best approach or is there a better way to get my java program to run on other peoples pc's
3. If I create an executable Jar file on windows xp, will it run on a Linux machine?
Cheers

1. How would I make an executable Jar file that when clicked on will load the program on the users computer. Is there some software to do it for me or do I have to do it from the command prompt?The SDK contains all the tools you need. Use the jar command. To make your jar executable, include a manifest file that references your main class.
2. Is using a Jar file the best approach or is there a better way to get my java program to run on other peoples pc'sA jar will work just fine.
3. If I create an executable Jar file on windows xp, will it run on a Linux machine?Yes.

Why i can't execute jar files

Greetings
I read that jar files are executable unpon clicking them, but with me it do nothing.
right now i'm using the command prompt to decompress jar files
jar -xf jarfile.jar
i have windows xp professional with j2sdk1.4.1

You can execute JAR files by double-clicking them if the JAR files have an appropriate manifest and your file associations are set correctly (i.e. make sure you open JAR files with JAVAW.EXE). You can learn more about the manifest here:
http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/jar/basics/manifest.html

Newbie's problem with executable jar file

hello
i create an executable jar file and it seems ok except it fails to locate all of my image files.
when i use
java -jar myproject.jar
it fails to display included pictures and files.
however, when i extract this jar file and run, it works fine (displays everything).
do i need to do add some informations about these included file's information into Manifest file?
thank you

thank you for the reply.
i have searched through java, and find "class javax.commerce.cassette.JARCassetteLoader". is this one you referred? i have used file related examples from the java-swing samples.
//post - return the file path
protected static ImageIcon getImageIcon(String path)
java.net.URL imgURL = TestDialog.class.getResource(path);
if (imgURL != null)
return new ImageIcon(imgURL, description);
else
System.out.println("Couldn't find file: " + path);
return null;
then i just use
ImageIcon icon = getImageIcon("images"+File.separator+"simple.gif"); // images\simple.gif
thank you

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 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

Associating executable Jar files w/ appropriate program

Hi, I'm kinda new to java but this question is more OS related I think. I made a GUI program that reads / writes files and does some other stuff, I compiled it, then made it into an Executable JAR file. I put the file on my dektop w/ the required resource file (contains the read files) and then I double-click it and lo and behold Win-Ace(R) popps up. I right-clicked on the executable jar file, associated it with JAVAW, double-clicked again and it worked. So i guess my question is, is there a way that it will automatically associate itself with the right program so when I give this program to other people, they won't have to associate it the same way?
Anyhelp would be greatly appriciated!

No, becourse even if java could do that it would make sence becourse to run the jar it must be associated with javaw.
But you could try to create a .reg file (registry file) that associate jar with javaw, when somebody runs the reg file it associate jar with javaw.
But I think you should make different reg files for different windows versions (not sure about that).
I don't have experience with how to write reg files but you just google.
But I should try it out on your own windows, you could install windows on another partion and try it out on that one (first make a image with norton gost or something so if something goes wrong you can fastly get back to the old state).
But you can also export your registry to a file so you can put the old registry back if somethings goes wrong.
Use these tips on you own risk!!!

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.

Class not found error while executing jar file

I have written a java code in which i am connecting to database....when i run the class file using......java class_filename it works........
but when i run the jar file using .......java -jar jar_name ...yi gives me the error as 'Class not found'......
can anybody help me please......
Thanks and Regards,
Siddhesh

that class is part of jar file.....in classpath i have included zip files for jdbc ...to get databse connection.....and the jar being executed ................still it gives the error ClassDefnotfound which i think is due to database connection problem.....the exception is raised while.....
Class.ForName("Driver_name").newInstance();/ This driver is present in zip files that i have added in classpath....
above statement doesn,t giv error while i execute the class file............but exception while executing jar file only..
Thnaks and regards,
siddhesh

Why -jar option used to install a software which is in executable jar file?

Hi all,
i have a query, i have a generic installer which is used to install the oracle weblogic 10.3 software in unix platform(i.e., which is in .jar extension) which is executable jar file.
To install this software which have to use -jar option to install
java -jar net_server<version>_generic.jar
my question that why we use -jar option to install or to extract the software
can any one clarify my doubt...
thanks in advance
abhi
Edited by: sumanth_abhi on Jan 27, 2009 11:50 PM

According to the Jar Guide (http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/docs/guide/jar/jarGuide.html)
Executable Jar Files
On Microsoft Windows systems, the Java 2 Runtime Environment's installation program will register a default association for Jar files so that double-clicking a Jar file on the desktop will automatically run it with javaw -jar. Dependent extensions bundled with the application will also be loaded automatically. This feature makes the end-user runtime environment easier to use on Microsoft Windows systems.
The Solaris 2.6 kernel has already been extended to recognize the special "magic" number that identifies a Jar file, and to invoke java -jar on such a Jar file as if it were a native Solaris executable. A application packaged in a Jar file can thus be executed directly from the command line or by clicking an icon on the CDE desktop.
Despite that every JAR file can be executed as a program if and only if the META-INF/Manifest.mf contains the Main-Class tag. This done through java -jar jarfile.jar
--olaf

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.

How can I add image files to a executable jar file ?

Could you tell me how can I add image files to executable jar file ?
package structure:
../com/Main.class
../images/..

Please don't cross post, and read this
http://forum.java.sun.com/thread.jsp?forum=31&thread=271751
I've answered the question in the New To Java thread.

Add classpath in an executable jar file

an executable jar file contains a manifest file with entry main-class: MyApplicationClass.
if we double click the jar file on Windows OS, main class is loaded.
my question is:
if classes in he jar file use classpaths which are not default, how to add those classpaths into manifest file to tell classes to use those classpaths?
it is similar to command line:
java -classpath c;\mypackage; .......; MyApplicationClass

Thanks, i will try soon.
here is another Q.
if i need to add tools.jar (JDK lib) as classpath in manifest file, it is as following in my PC
d:\install\java\jdk14101\lib\tools.jar.
but my customers install JDK in different path (should be considered as unknown), how to add it as entry Class-path for all customers?

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

Qusetion about Executable JAR files

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