I have written a Java program that uses Java swing library. Now I would like to execute this program by double clicking on the executable file on Windows just like any other program with a GUI. How do I do that?
Since it is Java based and has a GUI, the obvious answer is to deploy it using Java Web Start.
Java Web Start (JWS) is the Oracle Corporation technology used to launch rich client (Swing, AWT, SWT) desktop applications directly from a network or internet link. It offers 'one click' installation for platforms that support Java.
JWS provides many appealing features including, but not limited to, splash screens, desktop integration, file associations, automatic update (including lazy downloads and programmatic control of updates), partitioning of natives & other resource downloads by platform, architecture or Java version, configuration of run-time environment (minimum J2SE version, run-time options, RAM etc.), easy management of common resources using extensions..
By 'desktop integration' read desktop shortcuts and menu items on supported platforms.
The 2 icons on the right (JotPad & Star Zoom Animation) are both Java based apps., installed using Java Web Start. Since JotPad is sand-boxed, the user will be prompted as to whether to create the shortcut. That choice is not offered for apps. with higher permission levels, so it would make more sense to install/remove the shortcuts and menu items using the IntegrationService - which allows an app. (after prompting the user) to create/remove them at run-time.
There are number of options:
Create an executable jar of your project. for this jar to work you have to have javaw as default application to open it.
Create an exe of your project.
Create a bat file which runs your jar file.
Take a look at this: How can I convert my Java program to an .exe file?
While the others mention excellent choices like creating a native executable, there is another useful method: creating a shortcut.
Right click your desktop, expand the "New" option, and click on "Shortcut".
Type "javaw.exe". Click next.
Name it whatever you want. Click done.
You'll notice the newly created shortcut on your desktop. Right click it and choose "Properties"
In the "Target" textfield, append "-jar path-to-your-jar.jar" where you replace "path-to-your-jar.jar" with the actual path to your jar
You can also now optionally change the icon to whatever icon you want
This shortcut can be pinned to the taskbar and be used from anywhere (considering you provided an absolute path to your JAR).
you need to create exe from the java program.
Creating executable jar files
First, make sure you have installed Java 1.2 or above. This facility is not available in previous versions of Java.
Next, create your working java system. In general, you will want to put it into a package. For this example, I created a trivial HelloWorld application that prints out "Hello World" plus the first command line argument, and placed it into the package "psae". Therefore, the HelloWorld files (HelloWorld.class, HelloWorld.java) were located in the directory psae. I tested the system to make sure it worked before going on to the next step.
In the directory in which the psae is located, created a file called "mainClass". This file contains a single line specifying where the main Class is to be found in the jar file. Note that I use the package specification. Here is the single line:
Main-Class: psae.HelloWorld
Note: make sure you type a carriage return after this line; some windows systems need it and will report a "Failed to load Main-Class manifest attribute" error.
Next, I create a jar file called psae.jar using the "jar" command in Java2. I use the "m" command line argument to specify the manifest file mainClass, which adds information to the jar file on where the main class will be found. Here is the jar command:
bertha:~ > jar cmf mainClass psae.jar psae
Just for fun, and to check what's happened, I print the table of contents for the jar file I just created. Here's the command and its result:
bertha:~ > jar tf psae.jar
META-INF/
META-INF/MANIFEST.MF
psae/
psae/HelloWorld.java
psae/HelloWorld.class
Having successfully created the jar file, I can now invoke java2 on it with the command line argument:
bertha:~ > java -jar psae.jar Philip
Hello World Philip
There are a few projects, like http://jsmooth.sourceforge.net/ and http://launch4j.sourceforge.net/
you can use something like Launch4j.
also look at JSMooth.
Hope it helps
There are two ways. Both involve packaging your code in a .jar.
The first way is to build an actual .exe file using a tool like Launch4j. It will require you to set up things like tell it which class to execute, which icon to use, which JRE is OK, what JRE parameters to use, etc.
The second option is to make the .jar itself executable. You do this by adding a manifest to the .jar. The manifest is a small configuration file that describes the jar. One of the attributes is Main-Class which defines the entry point. In other words, it says which class has the main function that should be called when the user double-clicks the file.
Here's a basic tutorial about manifests: http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/deployment/jar/manifestindex.html
The 2nd option is easier to get going, but users will know what to do with a .exe far more often.
Note that if either approach complains that it can't find the class, make sure to set the classpath manifest attribute to match your project.
If you have an executable jar file, just shift-right click on your file and set it to be opened by javaw. The other option (in case you want to pass in parameters to your application) is to create a .bat file where you spin off your application via java or javaw
Right click to your "project" in eclipse and select "export" then choose "Java->Runnable Jar File" select your project name and finish.
Seems you want to deploy and run the standalone application of swings. Being a java developer you should understand the power of jar files. Those are executable in themselves {so no need to create .exe files :)} .
The below code will help you to create a jar file.
Creating a jar File in Command Prompt
Start Command Prompt.
Navigate to the folder that holds your class files:
C:\>cd \mywork
Set path to include JDK’s bin. For example:
C:\mywork> path c:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.5.0_09\bin;%path%
Compile your class(es):
C:\mywork> javac *.java
Create a manifest file:
C:\mywork> echo Main-Class: NameOfProject >manifest.txt
Create a jar file:
C:\mywork> jar cvfm NameOfProject.jar manifest.txt *.class
Test your jar:
C:\mywork> DanceStudio.jar
After creating a jar just double click on it and you are done.
You have to create an executable jar file. For that you just simply add a META-INF folder to the jar, then add a MANIFEST.MF text file with two lines:
Manifest-Version: 1.0
Main-Class: your.package.YourMainClass
Here's how to run a Java program by RIGHT-CLICKING on it (in other words, from the Windows Explorer context menu). This handy trick is great for beginners who need to test their simple programs on the fly. Works on both Win7 and XP rigs.
[ATTN: Depending on the situation, you may need to remove the package directive from the top of your Java file.]
Step 1. Create a batch file (e.g., RWJ.bat) inside a folder of your choice (say, in C:\Program Files\Java.)
Step 2. Fill RWJ.bat with the following commands (they will work just fine as is with simple classes but you can, of course, tweak them according to your particular needs by specifying compiler / interpreter switches, passing args, adding echo off, removing pause or whatever):
javac %1
java %~n1
pause
The first command passes the full name of your right-clicked file to the Java compiler; the second one strips the file extension and feeds JVM with the class name only.
Step 3. Add the following key to your Registry: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\Run With Java and then create its command (default value):
C:\Program Files\Java\RWJ.bat %1.
Step 4. Run your Java class by right-clicking it and selecting Run with Java option.
That's all there is to it.
Another way to run Java programs by pointing and clicking is to use AOT compilers. For example, GCC has an entry point named GCJ, which can be used to compile the source code into both byte codes and standard executable file for your particular OS.
And finally, instead ot batch files one can run WSH, etc.
Related
I created a tic-tac-toe game in Java. It runs fine on Eclipse.
How do I compile this file (which is currently a .java file) to the standard file format of Java applications, so it can be run from the desktop like a normal program?
What is the standard file type for the final executable Java application? What should be the file type if I want people to easily and without any computer knowledge run my program on their computers?
with eclipse right click on your project. then export it as a runnable .jar file.
Project Right Click > Export > Runnable .jar File.
First choose your project under "Launch configuration", then choose your destination.
After that click finish. Your program should be in your destination folder. Double click to start (just like an .exe file)
For example: If you export it to your desktop, and you name it "TicTacToe", the file on your desktop is "TicTacToe.jar" - ".jar" is your executable file
Done
You have to compile your java class first
javac TicTac.java
and then execute it
java TicTac
Note: that here you provide the name of the class with the main method!
As the other answers indicated, you can create an executable jar using eclipse (or a number of other tools). What these tools are doing under the hood is defining the Main-Class: attribute in the jar's manifest.
In Windows, your users can double click on an executable .jar to launch it, as long as the file associations are configured correctly. However this may not be obvious to windows users who are trained to expect some sort of .exe extension.
To solve this, you could use launch4j to wrap your executable jar in a windows executable. Note: this doesn't change your java application into a native application (it still requires the JVM, etc), it simply makes it launch more like a native application.
For deploying Java desktop apps., the best option is usually to install the app. using Java Web Start. JWS works on Windows, OS X & *nix.
Note that JWS is more effort for us to deploy (it involves not only Jarring and signing the code, but creating a JNLP launch file and a page on the net or network to check that Java is installed & serve the files to the user), but is super easy for the end user.
If there is a JWS deployment, the Jar does not have to be an 'executable Jar' as described in the other answers.
The command should be javac yourFile.java from you command prompt and then after compilation, class file is created. You can run it using java MailClassName
You can find a good tutorial on using javac and java commands here.
This is more curiosity than a problem:
I was recently wondering if there was a way to run compiled Java applications without using the cmd or an IDE such as Eclipse. I use Eclipse, but it isn't very useful if you want to run the program independently. Can you save Java files in Windows Explorer so you can create a shortcut for them? If so, how? Is there some sort of special extension to the file? I've heard of .JAR files, but I'm not sure what they are. Can anyone tell me how to do it?
.JAR files are archives containing - amongst other things - your compiled classes and a manifest file. You may set the main entry point of your application in that manifest. See Setting an Application's Entry Point.
Normally if you double click a jar file in windows it will be opened by javaw.exe -jar <yourFile.jar>. javaw.exe will lookup the manifest and try start the main class defined there.
create the jar file for java application using following syntax jar -cvf .jar . then use javaw.exe -jar
I've created a program in java and now I want to create an executable from it.
I'm new to java, I don't know if it should be a .exe.
I'we exported my project to a .jar file, but when I double-click it it opens "open with" window.
I want to export my project to a file that runs my program on double-click.
Is there any solution?
Export --> Java --> Runnable Jar file --> Specify the class with static main method to run.
Double click on the Jar file to run..
Thanks...
Java compiliation creates byte code for the JVM, so a native, binary executable is not created during compiliation (like C or C++ programs). This is a feature of Java.
To deploy an application to multiple systems they must have the JRE. These .jar files can be launched from the command line (see this: http://download.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/deployment/jar/run.html)
Some vendors get around this with batch files that launch the JRE to run their application's JAR (and then put these in the start menu, desktop, etc with a fancy icon).
If you want people to install your app (especially from a web page or over a network) you probably want a Java Web Start package (see this for crating one in Eclipse: http://help.eclipse.org/indigo/index.jsp?topic=%2Forg.eclipse.platform.doc.isv%2Fguide%2Fjava_web_start.htm)
If you just want it to be runnable on your computer, you can use the open with dialog to open it with javaw.exe in JDK_DIRECTORY\bin. Alternatively, if you really wanted to make it an EXE, you could look at some of the answers here.
Either do as in the link mentioned by #dacwe or I would suggest to depending on operating system set a permanent connection between java and jars, then it will always happen.
On Windows you do it by right clicking on any jar then open with and find your javaw.exe in bin folder of your jre installation.
I think you are looking for a simpler approach than Java Web Start.
I assume that you are a Windows User, since you want a .exe file.
So once you have the exported MyProgram.jar file, you only need to create a .bat file
that contains a sole line:
java -jar MyProgram.jar
and place this execute.bat file in the same folder as your MyProgram.jar
This approach works for Linux too, only you need to place it inside a similar file and execute the same command.
Read here http://javabeanz.wordpress.com/2009/01/29/running-an-executable-jar-from-command-line/ for more explanations.
If there's one thing that annoys me about Java it's that you can't double-click a class file so as to run. I assuming there's an entry in the registry that has to be edited to do this but I haven't a clue.
So, as it says on the tin. Does anyone know how to associate Java class files to run on double-click on Windows (I aiming for Windows 7 here but I'm sure there'd be no difference in the three most latest releases)? It would make my life (and I'm sure many other people's) much easier!
Udpate: I've seen answers relating to making a JAR out of the class in question and running it that way. However useful, that is not exactly what I'm looking for here. I'm effectively looking for Windows itself to invoke java with the class on double-click, with the correct arguments.
if classpath doesnt matter too much, easily done with a simple batch file runjava.bat or so that is associated with .class files in the explorer (via right click >> open with..)
#echo off
REM change to folder where the class file resides
cd %~d1%~p1
REM execute the class by calling its name without file extension
start java %~n1
The double-clickable JAR solution is the most common plain Java distribution method. There'd be a number of issues with trying to execute .class files directly, with the classpath the one that pops first to mind.
That said, if you wanted to support the very simplest possibilities in your development environment, you could conceivably implement a script that
inspected the .class file for the full class name (including package and inner class name)
walked up the directory tree to the root of the file's class path
(optionally included any common lib directories in the classpath)
invoked Java for the determined class
Then you could register your shiny script as a handler for .class files. But since you're in the development environment, aren't you happier with your IDE doing that?
For a .class file to run, needs in first place to have "something" to do, that is, that .class should contain a main method. Not all the .class do have one.
One thing you can do, is to wrap your app ( a number of .class files ) inside a jar file.
For short, you just need in addition to your classes a manifest file that says, where the main method is:
jar -cmf yourmanifestfile.mf doubleClickApp.jar *.class
And that's it, the doubleClickApp.jar is now executable with a "doubleClick" gesture.
When you install the Java Runtime Environment, it registers .jar files as an association in Windows. If you double-click on a .jar file, it will open it using Java. For this to work, you need to make sure you have a manifest defined that points to the class to run. Your class file to be run must have a main method that will be called.
Let's assume you have a class named 'com.TheClass.class' on disk. If you want to have this able to run with double click, create a file in a new directory called META-INF/manifest.mf. Put this into it:
Manifest-Version: 1.2
Main-Class: com.TheClass
Zip (or use the jar command) both your class up with this manifest directory and file. Rename it to mine.jar. Double click on it and it should launch your class with the Java runtime.
http://justaddhotwater.webs.com/javaexec.htm
This software makes it possible to run your Java classes by double-clicking them.(Windows ONLY).
The easiest way that I have found was creating a shortcut on the same folder than the .class file. Then right click on it and go to properties. Change the field Target to java NameOfClass, finally double click the shortcut :)
This question already has answers here:
How can I convert my Java program to an .exe file?
(16 answers)
Closed 8 years ago.
I have programmed a Java Program in JCreator, everything is done, but I want to create an executable file from it, ie I dont want to have to run the program by loading the java classes and compiling then executing, but instead have it as a stand alone executable file.
What the quickest way to do this?
You can use the jar tool bundled with the SDK and create an executable version of the program.
This is how it's done.
I'm posting the results from my command prompt because it's easier, but the same should apply when using JCreator.
First create your program:
$cat HelloWorldSwing.java
package start;
import javax.swing.*;
public class HelloWorldSwing {
public static void main(String[] args) {
//Create and set up the window.
JFrame frame = new JFrame("HelloWorldSwing");
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
JLabel label = new JLabel("Hello World");
frame.add(label);
//Display the window.
frame.pack();
frame.setVisible(true);
}
}
class Dummy {
// just to have another thing to pack in the jar
}
Very simple, just displays a window with "Hello World"
Then compile it:
$javac -d . HelloWorldSwing.java
Two files were created inside the "start" folder Dummy.class and HelloWorldSwing.class.
$ls start/
Dummy.class HelloWorldSwing.class
Next step, create the jar file. Each jar file have a manifest file, where attributes related to the executable file are.
This is the content of my manifest file.
$cat manifest.mf
Main-class: start.HelloWorldSwing
Just describe what the main class is ( the one with the public static void main method )
Once the manifest is ready, the jar executable is invoked.
It has many options, here I'm using -c -m -f ( -c to create jar, -m to specify the manifest file , -f = the file should be named.. ) and the folder I want to jar.
$jar -cmf manifest.mf hello.jar start
This creates the .jar file on the system
You can later just double click on that file and it will run as expected.
To create the .jar file in JCreator you just have to use "Tools" menu, create jar, but I'm not sure how the manifest goes there.
Here's a video I've found about: Create a Jar File in Jcreator.
I think you may proceed with the other links posted in this thread once you're familiar with this ".jar" approach.
You can also use jnlp ( Java Network Launcher Protocol ) too.
If you are using Eclipse , you can try the below 7 steps to get a .exe file for Windows.
Now you have a JAR file. Use java -jar path/jarname.jar to execute.
If you want to convert this to .exe, you can try http://sourceforge.net/projects/launch4j/files/launch4j-3/
STEP7:
Give the .xml file an appropriate name and click "Save". The .xml file is standard, don't worry about it. Your executable file will now be created!
I'm not quite sure what you mean.
But I assume you mean either 1 of 2 things.
You want to create an executable .jar file
Eclipse can do this really easily File --> Export and create a jar and select the appropriate Main-Class and it'll generate the .jar for you. In windows you may have to associate .jar with the java runtime. aka Hold shift down, Right Click "open with" browse to your jvm and associate it with javaw.exe
create an actual .exe file then you need to use an extra library like
http://jsmooth.sourceforge.net/ or http://launch4j.sourceforge.net/ will create a native .exe stub with a nice icon that will essentially bootstrap your app. They even figure out if your customer hasn't got a JVM installed and prompt you to get one.
On the command line, navigate to the root directory of the Java files you wish to make executable.
Use this command:
jar -cvf [name of jar file] [name of directory with Java files]
This will create a directory called META-INF in the jar archive. In this META-INF there is a file called MANIFEST.MF, open this file in a text editor and add the following line:
Main-Class: [fully qualified name of your main class]
then use this command:
java -jar [name of jar file]
and your program will run :)
Take a look at WinRun4J. It's windows only but that's because unix has executable scripts that look (to the user) like bins. You can also easily modify WinRun4J to compile on unix.
It does require a config file, but again, recompile it with hard-coded options and it works like a config-less exe.
Jexecutable can create Windows exe for Java programs. It embeds the jars into exe file and you can run it like a Windows program.
You could use GCJ to compile your Java program into native code.
At some time they even compiled Eclipse into a native version.
Take a look at launch4j
Write a script and make it executable. The script should look like what you'd normally use at the command line:
java YourClass
This assumes you've already compiled your .java files and that the java can find your .class files. If java cannot find your .class files, you may want to look at using the -classpath option or setting your CLASSPATH environment variable.
Java Web Start is a good technology for installing Java rich clients off the internet direct to the end user's desktop (whether the OS is Windows, Mac or *nix). It comes complete with desktop integration and automatic updates, among many other goodies.
For more information on JWS, see the JWS info page.
As suggested earlier too, you can look at launch4j to create the executable for your JAR file. Also, there is something called "JExePack" that can put an .exe wrapper around your jar file so that you can redistribute it (note: the client would anyways need a JRE to run the program on his pc)
Exes created with GCJ will not have this dependency but the process is a little more involved.