If C# or VB.NET is distributed in .exe files as MSIL codes, what is Java distributed in? Is there an equivalent form of .exe files for Java (other than .jar files, which I don't think is good for distribution on computers). Or is there a way to save Java intermediate language(?) in an exe like MSIL does? Then distribute it in an exe which is still run by the JRE upon execution.
Java "executables" are either .class or .jar files. It's common to deliver a script (.bat file for Windows) with a Java program to run it.
You can use Launch4J to create executable *.exe files from *.jar files, but this is platform specific and using runnable *.jar files is recommended.
For more information on how to make executables with Java please take a look at this thread.
Use Java Web Start to install the app. JWS offers auto-update, splash screens and a lot of other nice functionality.
The user gets desktop shortcuts and menu items if they are requested in the launch file and supported on the OS of the user. Those shortcuts might have icons as supplied by the developer.
What 'jar', what 'exe'? Why show the user either when installing a Java rich client? Using JWS would require Jar files, but the user never sees them.
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If you have a small program, you can run jar file and it will work fine. But if you convert jar file into exe, you still need java to run your exe file, so what's the difference between them and why do some people convert jar to exe?
An EXE is, ostensibly, an executable program that launches the local java to execute the bundle classes.
As you may know, on your computer you can associate certain file extensions with local programs. For example, .doc files with your word processor.
Similarly, .jar files can be associated with Java, so that Java can execute them. The jar file is considered "stand alone" if it has all of the necessary classes bundled within it, and a proper manifest pointing to the startup class.
So, by associating .jar with Java, clicking on it in your environment will launch Java with the given jar file.
An EXE doesn't need that association. It find java on its own with it's own launcher.
The next step is that you can actually bundle the JRE in to an EXE, so you don't even need to have the user install Java as a pre-requisite. But that's a different process.
People commonly use Java executable wrappers for two reasons - 1. to simply deployment for environments without a JVM, and 2. To make sure the exact Java runtime used for developing the application gets used to run the JAR. However, the practice is not that much widespread.
Java archive or jar is an archive of compiled java byte code and resources which can be run on a java virtual machine. ".exe" is a windows extension for directly executable code mostly used by installers or programs that do not need to be installed. I think your "people" are talking about installers.
An Exe file is an executable file that can be executed in Microsoft OS environment.
Jar file is container of Java Class files, including other resources related to the project. Jar file can be executed only if Java run time environment.
The JavaTM Archive (JAR) file format enables you to bundle multiple files into a single archive file.
The .class files compiled from java files, can not be launched directly. That is why it is needed to be converted to exe before it can run in a windows environment.The usual way to start a java program by batch file is not a convenient way. So inorder to avoid this difficulty we need to convert jar files into exe file.
Also converting it to exe. enables the program to run by simple double click on the program, instead of having to compile it with an IDE or through the JVM.
All that the exe will do is to start a jvm with your app, something like this: "java -jar app.jar".
sorry if it feels a noobish question. My doubt is, if I converted a jar file to .exe file using software, such as exe4j or launch4j, will it still require a JRE enabled system to be able to run it, or will it just run like normal windows executable?
Also, I wanted to know if there is any other way to convert jar files to exe without using 3rd party software, also, are there any side effects of converting a jar program to exe.
Of course it needs a JRE, these tools just make it possible to run Java applications more easily on Windows. The application itself is still a Java application, it is just wrapped in a launcher.
I myself would just create a batch file to start the application (or write a few-line simple application with the single task of starting the jar).
Update: exe4j and launch4j can embed a JRE.
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.
I finished a small program. What is the standard file type for the final application written with Java, so it can be run on any computer, easily and without any computer knowledge?
I've been told it's JAR, but Eclipse for example is an .exe file.
What's the standard file type for big, normal applications in Java?
Are most applications distributed in JAR, or rather in .exe or something else?
Serious desktop applications are packaged with platform-specific launchers, which are not written in Java. The launcher must first find out how to run the JVM installed on the system, and then pass it either the path to the executable JAR to run, or the complete classpath along with the name of the main class.
In other words, "it's complicated".
Most desktop applications are distributed using .jar files. A .exe is windows-specific, and non-portable across different operating systems. It's easy to find installers (or "launchers") that will simplify the distribution of a Java program in other platforms, but anyway you'll find that .jar files are the usual packaging mechanism.
If you have a small, simple Java program the easiest approach to distribute it would be to pack it in a .jar, making sure to make it executable. And remember, the computer where your code is expected to run must have installed some version of Java, be it JRE or JDK.
Desktop java applications are usually distributed as jar files.
JRE can launch a runnable jar file using -jar param.
You have one of several options:
1 - Create an executable jar file. By providing information in a manifest within the jar file users can simply execute the jar file by however system-dependent means exist for their OS.
2 - Write a batch file or shell script to invoke the JRE against your jar file (and specify command line parameters for, eg: the main class, the classpath, JVM options, etc.)
3 - Use a tool like jexepack or jsmooth to wrap your Java code within a native executable. I've only ever used these to create Windows binaries - there may be other options for other platforms but shell scripts are typically easier to work with here.
I know this question has been asked many a times and all the time there is an answer which says about using an executable jar or making an .exe using launch4j or similar app.
I may sound like a novice, which I actually am.
I have been trying a few things with a Java project. I have successfully made an executable jar and also an .exe file from it. All thanks to your previous answers in SO :)
But, I want to create a installer for Windows. Like, pressing Next for 2 - 3 times(which shows all the terms and conditions etc), then a user specify a location(like C:\Program Files\New Folder\My App), then my .exe, lib folder, img folder, other important folders get pasted in the destination folder along with the .exe file and then a shortcut is created on a desktop.
Any pointers to how can I achieve this ?
I have been using InnoSetup for a long time. It has always worked very well. It can do everything you need (unpack files, put shortcuts on desktop, start menu etc) and generates installers that we are used to.
If you want free and open source, you could take a look IzPack. We use this at work for its command line support in our builder.
You could also take a look install4j which is a commercial product we've trialed on and off before (but when it comes to spending money, you tend to want to know you're getting what you want ;))
If you are on JDK 13 or above, you can package any Java program along with its runtime by using the default packaging tool in the JDK called jpackage.
jpackage can create installers for Linux, Mac and Windows operating system.
You can create a specific runtime by using jlink.
jpackage needs some 3rd party free software for creating Windows bundles:
* To create .exe bundle, it uses Wix
* To create .msi bundle, it uses Inno
Wix is now the only dependency to create both exe and msi bundles.
All the details about jpackage can be found at JEP 343: Packaging Tool.
Edit: I'll leave this here for reference, but note: The Java plug-in needed to launch JWS and applets was removed by browser manufacturers, and both were deprecated in Java 9 and removed from the API.
Use Java Web Start.
Like, pressing Next for 2 - 3 times (which shows all the terms and conditions etc)
The ExtensionInstallerService of the JNLP API provides this. Here is a demo. of the installer service.
..then a user specify a location(like C:\Program Files\New Folder\My App), ..
The ExtensionInstallerService provides a method getInstallPath() which..
Returns the directory where the installer is recommended to install the extension in. It is not required that the installer install in this directory, this is merely a suggested path.
That is not quite the same as what you are asking, but then I think it is generally a bad idea to allow the user that level of control.
then my .exe, lib folder, img folder, other important folders get pasted in the destination folder along with the .exe file ..
JWS installs the resources mentioned in the JNLP automatically, as and when they are needed. Further, it updates the resources if the archives on the server change.
and then a shortcut is created on a desktop.
JWS can supply desktop shortcuts and menu items on supported systems.
E.G.
From How to run Java programs by clicking on their icon on Windows?
This answer, which shows a JWS app. installed in 'Programs and Features', with the desktop icon to the left of it.
I was in the same situation a few months ago. After trying out a lot. I suggest NSIS. There is a nice plug-in for Eclipse EclipseNSIS with some templates. It helps a lot to get a basic installer with just some easy clicks. If the resulting code is not sufficient you can do the rest work by coding, but most of the code is generated by EclipseNSIS.
You can also use Advanced Installer. Since you already have an EXE to launch your JAR, you don't need to use the Java Launcher support from Advanced Installer, you can create a Simple project, which is available in the free edition, so you don't need to purchase a license.
It will take you maximum 10 minutes to install it and create the setup package, as you will see it is very easy to learn using it.
use Launch4j to create exe file. you must give the relative path to jre folder.
next use Inno Setup to make setup. You can bundle jre inside the installer.
I've use it and it works like a magic. I can show details.
I wanted to share another project. This project have two part:updating your desktop app and ready installers for mac os, linux, windows. If you want only installer so you can adopt for your needs documentation in this way you should replace starter-core-1.0.jar with your jar