Creating an executable

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Hi, I want to create an executable program or launcher for the application i have built in java. I want to turn the java class files into something that a inexperienced user could execute simply. Are there tools to do this?

Many thanks.

Martin

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I'm working with JBuilder 7 SE. In the SE edition JBuilder has a feature called "Native executable builder".

I tried building a windows executable from a small application and it seemed to work fine. An "Executable" was built that could be run from command line and by double clicking a link from the desktop.

But note that there's still a java runtime environment needed for the built file.

HTH Daniel

P.S.: Don't know if JBuilder 7 SE is still available, but when we bought it it was about EUR 500,-. Not that expensive, I think.

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go here:

http://forum.java.sun.com/thread.jsp?forum=54&thread=359679

That might help
I made it, I kniow!

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Dear zzzzb,

as Martin wrote he had the .class files already. Please be so kind and read the original posting carefully BEFORE you post something, ok?

Thanks, Daniel

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You can try NativeJ at http://ctech-software.hypermart.net/nativej.html.
It should do what you need.

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BTW:

Has anyone tried InstallAnywhere? Seems to generate a pure Java Setup that works on any platform. But is the incredible cost for purchasing worth it?

DrClap

Incredible cost? If you are looking for a free version go to this page:

http://www.zerog.com/products_ia_07.html

and scroll all the way to the bottom.

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Dear Martin,

To create an executable for java class files are easy. Just put java fileName in batch file. If you would prefer to have an exe file, then write the following codes in C.

main()
{
printf("Welcome to Your application name");
printf("Starting the application Please wait....");
system(" Echo OFF ");
system(" java fileName ");
system(" cls ");
system(" exit ");
}

that is all the fun. Just compile the above code and put the exe in the directory where the class file is.

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Haijsk,

That's a pretty nice trick. Straightforward, and simple to use. The one problem is that it opens a console window under Windows. :-( As a result, you inspired me to write this piece of code:

#include <windows.h>

#define MY_APP_NAME "MyApp"
#define MY_APP_EXEC "javaw -jar myapp.jar"

int WINAPI WinMain(HINSTANCE hInstance, HINSTANCE hPrevInstance, LPSTR lpCmdLine, int nCmdShow)
{
        STARTUPINFO startup_info;
        PROCESS_INFORMATION process_info;

        BOOL valid;
        int result;

        startup_info.cb = sizeof(startup_info);
        startup_info.lpReserved = NULL;
        startup_info.lpDesktop = NULL;
        startup_info.lpTitle = NULL;
        startup_info.dwX = 0;
        startup_info.dwY = 0;
        startup_info.dwXSize = 0;
        startup_info.dwYSize = 0;
        startup_info.dwXCountChars = 0;
        startup_info.dwYCountChars = 0;
        startup_info.dwFillAttribute = 0;
        startup_info.dwFlags = STARTF_FORCEONFEEDBACK;
        startup_info.wShowWindow = NULL;
        startup_info.cbReserved2 = 0;
        startup_info.lpReserved2 = NULL;
        startup_info.hStdInput = NULL;
        startup_info.hStdOutput = NULL;
        startup_info.hStdError = NULL;



        valid = CreateProcess(
                NULL, 
                MY_APP_EXEC, 
                NULL, 
                NULL, 
                FALSE, 
                CREATE_DEFAULT_ERROR_MODE, 
                NULL, 
                NULL,
                &startup_info, 
                &process_info 
        ); 
 
        if(!valid)
        {
                result = MessageBox(NULL, "Failed to launch the application. Please make sure that a JVM of 1.3 or higher is installed.", MY_APP_NAME, MB_OK);
        }

        return 0;
}

Just change MY_APP_NAME and MY_APP_EXEC to meet your needs and away you go. :-)