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Cross-compile JavaFX+Swing desktop application using GraalVM

Background
I'd like to update my JavaFX+Swing desktop application's build process to cross-compile installer-free native binaries for Linux, MacOS, Windows, and JVM targets. The project uses Warp-Packer and BellSoft's FULL version of Liberica OpenJDK 19 to generate a self-extracting, self-running executable for Windows and Linux. In effect, end users can start using the application as follows:
Download the binary.
Run the binary.
I'd like to switch from Warp-Packer to GraalVM for various technical reasons.
Problem
I've tried creating a binary using BellSoft's Native Image Kit, Oracle's GraalVM, and Gluon's GraalVM without success.
Environment
The build environment:
$ java -version
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (build 19.0.1+11, mixed mode, sharing)
$ gradle --version
Gradle 7.6-rc-1
$ uname -a
Linux hostname 6.0.1-arch2-1 #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Thu, 13 Oct 2022 18:58:49 +0000 x86_64 GNU/Linux
Links to the exact versions of OpenJDK and Gradle being used:
https://download.bell-sw.com/java/19.0.1+11/bellsoft-jdk19.0.1+11-linux-amd64-full.tar.gz
https://services.gradle.org/distributions/gradle-7.6-rc-1-bin.zip
The GraalVMs:
BellSoft's Native Image Kit: https://download.bell-sw.com/vm/22.3.0/bellsoft-liberica-vm-full-openjdk17.0.5+8-22.3.0+2-linux-amd64.tar.gz
Oracle's GraalVM: https://github.com/graalvm/graalvm-ce-builds/releases/download/vm-22.3.0/graalvm-ce-java19-linux-amd64-22.3.0.tar.gz
Gluon's GraalVM: https://github.com/gluonhq/graal/releases/download/gluon-22.1.0.1-Final/graalvm-svm-java17-linux-gluon-22.1.0.1-Final.tar.gz
Note that the application's build.gradle file targets JDK 17:
java {
sourceCompatibility = VERSION_17
targetCompatibility = VERSION_17
}
Further, the application targets JavaFX 19, which could be a problem:
javafx {
version = '19'
modules = ['javafx.controls', 'javafx.swing']
configuration = 'compileOnly'
}
Build
This section provides the complete steps to reproduce the problems I've encountered with each GraalVM implementation.
Native Image Kit
NIK fails due to a bug:
cd /tmp
wget https://download.bell-sw.com/vm/22.3.0/bellsoft-liberica-vm-openjdk17.0.5+8-22.3.0+2-src.tar.gz
mkdir nik
cd nik
tar xf ../bell*gz
grep -n InteropFactoryN graal/substratevm/src/com.oracle.svm.hosted/src/com/oracle/svm/hosted/javafx/JavaFXReflection.java
This shows:
243: "com.sun.javafx.embed.swing.newimpl.InteropFactoryN",
In full context:
static void registerSwing(DuringAnalysisAccess access) {
registerReflectionClasses(access,
"com.sun.javafx.embed.swing.SwingFXUtilsImpl",
"com.sun.javafx.embed.swing.newimpl.InteropFactoryN",
"javafx.embed.swing.SwingNode",
"jdk.swing.interop.LightweightFrameWrapper");
}
If any reflected class doesn't exist, NIK terminates with an error. For example:
Fatal error: org.graalvm.compiler.debug.GraalError: com.oracle.svm.core.util.VMError$HostedError: class com.sun.javafx.embed.swing.newimpl.InteropFactoryN not found
The InteropFactoryN class was removed sometime between javafx-swing 11.0.2 and 12.0.2:
https://repo1.maven.org/maven2/org/openjfx/javafx-swing/11.0.2/javafx-swing-11.0.2-sources.jar
https://repo1.maven.org/maven2/org/openjfx/javafx-swing/12.0.2/javafx-swing-12.0.2-sources.jar
https://repo1.maven.org/maven2/org/openjfx/javafx-swing/17.0.2/javafx-swing-17.0.2-sources.jar
Verified using:
$ jar -tvf javafx-swing-12.0.2-sources.jar | grep FactoryN
$ jar -tvf javafx-swing-17.0.2-sources.jar | grep FactoryN
$ jar -tvf javafx-swing-11.0.2-sources.jar | grep FactoryN
2166 Wed Jan 16 10:19:04 PST 2019 com/sun/javafx/embed/swing/newimpl/InteropFactoryN.java
NIK is built upon OpenJDK 17, and the above confirms that the class was removed and not re-instated. Complete instructions to replicate the bug (Java and Gradle must be installed and available via the PATH):
cd /tmp
git clone https://github.com/DaveJarvis/keenwrite
cd keenwrite
gradle jar
mkdir -p src/main/resources/META-INF/native-image
wget "https://download.bell-sw.com/vm/22.3.0/bellsoft-liberica-vm-full-openjdk17.0.5+8-22.3.0+2-linux-amd64.tar.gz"
tar xf *gz
rm *gz
mv bell* nik
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH="$(pwd)/nik/lib:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH"
# Run the app and use many options.
java \
-agentlib:native-image-agent=config-output-dir=src/main/resources/META-INF/native-image \
--add-opens=javafx.controls/javafx.scene.control=ALL-UNNAMED \
--add-opens=javafx.controls/javafx.scene.control.skin=ALL-UNNAMED \
--add-opens=javafx.graphics/javafx.scene.text=ALL-UNNAMED \
--add-opens=javafx.graphics/com.sun.javafx.css=ALL-UNNAMED \
--add-opens=javafx.graphics/com.sun.javafx.text=ALL-UNNAMED \
--add-exports=javafx.base/com.sun.javafx.event=ALL-UNNAMED \
--add-exports=javafx.graphics/com.sun.javafx.application=ALL-UNNAMED \
--add-exports=javafx.graphics/com.sun.javafx.geom=ALL-UNNAMED \
--add-exports=javafx.graphics/com.sun.javafx.text=ALL-UNNAMED \
--add-exports=javafx.graphics/com.sun.javafx.scene=ALL-UNNAMED \
--add-exports=javafx.graphics/com.sun.javafx.scene.text=ALL-UNNAMED \
--add-exports=javafx.graphics/com.sun.javafx.scene.traversal=ALL-UNNAMED \
-jar build/libs/keenwrite.jar $#
# Exit the app when most of the features have been exercised.
# Fails due to missing reflective class, InteropFactoryN.
./nik/bin/native-image \
--add-modules=javafx.controls,javafx.swing \
--verbose \
-H:+ReportExceptionStackTraces \
--no-fallback \
--report-unsupported-elements-at-runtime \
-Djava.awt.headless=false \
-cp src/main/resources/META-INF/native-image \
-jar build/libs/keenwrite.jar
Gluon
Gluon fails because the JavaFX modules cannot be found. Here are the build instructions:
cd /tmp
git clone https://github.com/DaveJarvis/keenwrite
cd keenwrite
gradle clean jar
mkdir -p src/main/resources/META-INF/native-image
wget "https://github.com/gluonhq/graal/releases/download/gluon-22.1.0.1-Final/graalvm-svm-java17-linux-gluon-22.1.0.1-Final.tar.gz"
tar xf *gz
rm *gz
mv graalvm* graalvm
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH="$(pwd)/graalvm/lib:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH"
java \
-agentlib:native-image-agent=config-output-dir=src/main/resources/META-INF/native-image \
--add-opens=javafx.controls/javafx.scene.control=ALL-UNNAMED \
--add-opens=javafx.controls/javafx.scene.control.skin=ALL-UNNAMED \
--add-opens=javafx.graphics/javafx.scene.text=ALL-UNNAMED \
--add-opens=javafx.graphics/com.sun.javafx.css=ALL-UNNAMED \
--add-opens=javafx.graphics/com.sun.javafx.text=ALL-UNNAMED \
--add-exports=javafx.base/com.sun.javafx.event=ALL-UNNAMED \
--add-exports=javafx.graphics/com.sun.javafx.application=ALL-UNNAMED \
--add-exports=javafx.graphics/com.sun.javafx.geom=ALL-UNNAMED \
--add-exports=javafx.graphics/com.sun.javafx.text=ALL-UNNAMED \
--add-exports=javafx.graphics/com.sun.javafx.scene=ALL-UNNAMED \
--add-exports=javafx.graphics/com.sun.javafx.scene.text=ALL-UNNAMED \
--add-exports=javafx.graphics/com.sun.javafx.scene.traversal=ALL-UNNAMED \
-jar build/libs/keenwrite.jar $#
./graalvm/bin/native-image \
--verbose \
-H:+ReportExceptionStackTraces \
--no-fallback \
--report-unsupported-elements-at-runtime \
-Djava.awt.headless=false \
-cp src/main/resources/META-INF/native-image \
-jar build/libs/keenwrite.jar
This fails because GraalVM cannot find JavaFX and Swing. I tried a variety of ways to instruct native-image where to find the JavaFX modules, including:
--module-path /opt/jdk/jmods/ --add-modules=javafx.controls,javafx.swing
I've also downloaded both the JavaFX 19 SDK and the JavaFX 19 jmods and tried using them, such as:
--module-path $(pwd)/javafx-sdk-19 --add-modules=...
--module-path $(pwd)/javafx-jmods-19 --add-modules=...
Neither of those approaches worked.
Oracle
Using the regular GraalVM failed well before any JavaFX issues would be encountered:
cd /tmp
git clone https://github.com/DaveJarvis/keenwrite
cd keenwrite
gradle jar
wget https://github.com/graalvm/graalvm-ce-builds/releases/download/vm-22.3.0/graalvm-ce-java19-linux-amd64-22.3.0.tar.gz
tar xf graalvm*
rm *gz
mv graalvm* graalvm
./graalvm/bin/gu install native-image
./graalvm/bin/native-image \
--verbose \
-H:+ReportExceptionStackTraces \
--no-fallback \
--report-unsupported-elements-at-runtime \
-Djava.awt.headless=false \
-jar build/libs/keenwrite.jar
This results in the following error:
Fatal error: java.lang.RuntimeException: There was an error linking the native image: Linker command exited with 1
I think the error is caused by:
/usr/bin/ld: /tmp/keenwrite/graalvm/lib/static/linux-amd64/glibc/libawt.a(awt_LoadLibrary.o):(.bss.jvm+0x0): multiple definition of `jvm'; /tmp/keenwrite/graalvm/lib/static/linux-amd64/glibc/libawt_xawt.a(XlibWrapper.o):(.bss.jvm+0x0): first defined here
The full log is at:
https://textdoc.co/kweRFKOHDCV9ZE3A
Supplementary build process details are described on my blog.
Question
How do you cross-compile a JavaFX+Swing application using GraalVM to create a native Linux executable on Linux? More specifically, what steps do I need to run to build a native binary for my application using GraalVM?
Bounty
For some reason StackOverflow didn't update the bounty text. Here's the criteria for awarding:
The answer must provide the exact and complete set of commands to run that will produce a native executable on Linux. Further, the binary must be able to open and render an R Markdown file in the GUI as well as export the file to a PDF. That is, no functionality is lost. The resources and resource bundles don't have to work, but it'd be great if they did.

Difficult to create .JAR in NetBeans

Good morning guys,
I'm trying to create a JAR in NetBeans, but I get messages:
C: \ Users \ Administrator \ Desktop \ Project \ nbproject \ build-impl.xml: 993: The Following error occurred while executing this line:
C: \ Users \ Administrator \ Desktop \ Project \ nbproject \ build-impl.xml: 837: copylibs does not support the "excludeFromCopy" attribute
NetBeans does not generate the .JAR because of the errors.
My specs:
Version of OS = Windows 7 64 Bit
Java version = 1.7.0_55
Netbeans version = 7.0.1

This looks like an existing bug. The simplest course of action would probably be to upgrade to the latest version of Netbeans.
Alternatively, you can create a new project and copy your source files over - it may solve the problem.

Different SWT browser IE versions during runtime

I want to create SWT IE browsers with different versions during program execution.
I know firstly we take IE version from HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer \ Version. Then we look if there is a parameter HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer \ Main \ FeatureControl \ FEATURE_BROWSER_EMULATION \ java.exe (javaw.exe). If not, we create it with the above value.
How can I make SWT browser to take actual value from the registry HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer \ Main \ FeatureControl \ FEATURE_BROWSER_EMULATION \ java.exe (I change it via jna). If I changed the value in the registry during runtime, SWT doesn't swap it.
And I don't understand how SWT understands that it need to emulate the version from the registry.
I'm using jdk 1.6, windows 7 x64, IE 11, SWT 4.3.

Can not find Java Runtime Environment Says ArgoUML

I have properly installed jdk in my system, I have also set the CLASSPATH properly, but when I am installing ArgoUML, it shows a Message the No JRE found, what should I do?

I've just had this problem too, with a properly installed x64 JRE 8u45. Don't know if the Windows exe installer expects an x86 jvm?
Anyway, download the binary package zip instead from Tigris (dead) GitHub Releases and unzip somewhere. It runs fine from there * with argouml.bat, you just don't get a start menu entry added.
EDIT: Your PATH must be correct to find the java.exe, easy way to check is to open a new Cmd shell (Start > Run... > cmd) and type java -version you should get something back from the jvm

Check if JAVA_HOME environment variable is set (it should contain the directory your JRE is installed to).

I have the same problem on WIN7_X64.
I have installed it manually, here some steps:
Download the argouml-0.34 zip file
Extract the archive to install_dir Ex: C:\Program Files (x86)\ArgoUML-0.34 (to make it visible for all users)
Create a shortcut ArgoUML in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs with the following information:
Target: "install_dir\argouml.jar" Ex: "C:\Program Files (x86)\ArgoUML-0.34\argouml.jar"
Start in: "install_dir" Ex: "C:\Program Files (x86)\ArgoUML-0.34"
Change Icon...: browse to install_dir\ArgoUML.ico Ex: C:\Program Files (x86)\ArgoUML-0.34\ArgoUML.ico
You ca use argouml.bat but the above steps are more than enough.

I installed windows x64 first but it didn't work.
Then I installed windows x86 offline and it worked.
Simple!

First install 86 bit jre(Windows x86 Offline) from oracle.com then try to install ArgoUML.I think it will work.It has worked for me.Try to download from below given links for jre and ArgoUML.
jre link-
https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase-jre8-downloads.html
ArgoUML link-
https://argouml.en.softonic.com/download

I was able to use installer by first installing Java x86/32 bit JRE

First install the jre-8u271-windows-x641.exe
Install argouml
Uninstall the jre-8u271-windows-x641.exe
Move to the folder: C: \ Users \ nameuser \ AppData \ Roaming \ Microsoft \ Windows \ Start Menu \ Programs \ ArgoUML right-click on ArgoUML then property under target: "C: \ Program Files \ Java \ jdk-15 \ bin \ javaw.exe "-Xms64m -Xmx512m -jar" C: \ Program Files (x86) \ ArgoUML \ argouml.jar "specify the bin path of your jdk me mine is C: \ Program Files \ Java \ jdk- 15 \ bin \ javaw.exe
Execute the file (double click) .bat: C: \ Program Files (x86) \ ArgoUML \ argouml.bat

Convert Java application to Mac OS X app

Is there a way to convert a Java application into a Mac OS X executable app?
I use NetBeans to develop in Java, and I'd like to "pack" the "dist" folder into an app (just for convenience)

Use the Apple Java Extensions and its Guide
The Apple Java Extensions contains a very complete development guide with information on the deployment of Java applications on Mac OS X and the production of application bundles. It also introduces other aspects of the Apple Java Extensions, like the support for integration with the standard Mac OS X UI.
Other references:
JarBundler.
Make a Mac OS X App Bundle
Creating a osx app bundle in Java registered to a protocol url

There is a library that let's you package your Java app
Packr: https://github.com/libgdx/packr
Packages your JAR, assets and a JVM for distribution on Windows (ZIP), Linux (ZIP) and Mac OS X (.app), adding a native executable file to make it appear like the app is a native app.
It can even minimize the JRE for you.

jar2app
Packr is a great tool, but at the time I found that I wanted something "easier to use", so jar2app was born. I know this is an old question but perhaps other people might find this program easier to use than other alternatives. If they don't, there's a direct reference in the FAQ to other alternatives (such as Packr).

You can use javapackager tool to build the application and wrap it in into an installer, the following commands show how to convert a jar file into a bundle file:
commands
mkdir -p package/macosx
cp Test.icns package/macosx
jdk=$(/usr/libexec/java_home)
$jdk/bin/javapackager -deploy -native dmg \
-srcfiles Test.jar -appclass package.Test -name Test \
-outdir deploy -outfile Test -v
cp deploy/bundles/Test-1.0.dmg installer.dmg
ls -l
open installer.dmg
To change the application icon and more info MacJava.

As of JDK14 there is also 📦 jpackage (JEP-392), currently promoted from incubation phase to a production-ready feature.
Example usage that worked with an swt app (assumes all the required jar files reside in the files folder; you can also provide a custom resource folder with --resource-dir):
jpackage --type dmg \
-i files \
-n Bigly \
--main-class com.biglybt.ui.Main \
--main-jar BiglyBT.jar \
--java-options -XstartOnFirstThread \
--mac-package-name BiglyBt \
--icon app.icns \
--verbose
For the full option list use:
jpackage --help
WARNING: It's probably debatable whether it's a bug or not, and maybe it will be addressed in a future release, but in the current version, if you specify the input folder as -i ., and do not provide a custom destination with --dest then jpackage will bundle everything in the current folder... including the bundle it just created, i.e. it goes recursive on itself when . is both the input folder and the output :D .

Since some of the links in the accepted answer are no longer available or suitable in 2020, 8 years from the question was asked, I would like to share my findings that I confirmed working today.
There is a tool, javapackager, shipped with java, can package java application on Windows, Linux, macOS for you.
Here is the official manual: https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/technotes/tools/unix/javapackager.html
(Also there are other helpful tools here: https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/technotes/tools/ )
For packaging a mac application, I used this command:
javapackager \
-deploy \
-native image \
-srcdir ./csv-encrypt-tool-mac \
-srcfiles csv-encrypt-tool.jar \
-srcfiles dict \
-srcfiles config \
-srcfiles log \
-outdir ./dist \
-outfile csv-encrypt-tool \
-appclass some.package.CsvEncToolApp \
-name "csv-encrypt-tool" \
-title "csv-encrypt-tool" \
-nosign \
-v \
-BjvmOptions=-Xmx4096m \
-BmainJar=csv-encrypt-tool.jar \
-Bicon=icon.icns
And this is the explanation:
-deploy \ # Assembles the application package for redistribution with sys JRE
-native image \ # Build a .app file. If you want a .dmg, use -native dmg
-srcdir ./csv-encrypt-tool-mac \ # directory where my jar and resource files in
-srcfiles csv-encrypt-tool.jar \ # my executable jar, path relative to -srcdir
-srcfiles dict \ # one of my resource directories, path relative to -srcdir
-srcfiles config \ # another one of my resource directories, path relative to -srcdir
-srcfiles log \ # again, one of my resource directories, path relative to -srcdir
-outdir ./dist \ # where I want the package to be put
-outfile csv-encrypt-tool \ # the output file name without extension, the final file (or bundle which is a directory actually) will be csv-encrypt-tool.app
-appclass some.package.CsvEncToolApp \ # the class with main method, which is the entry point of the whole app
-name "csv-encrypt-tool" \ # the name (not very sure what this is for)
-title "csv-encrypt-tool" \ # the title (not sure what it is either)
-nosign \ # not sign the app since this is just an internal tool, if you want to publish it, signing is necessary
-v \ # verbose
-BjvmOptions=-Xmx4096m \ # I need 4GB max heap size
-BmainJar=csv-encrypt-tool.jar \ # the jar file with main class
-Bicon=icon.icns # the icon
After the command is executed, there will be some files and directories created in dist, where I want the package be, and one of the directories is bundles. The application is put in there.
Since I just built an internal tool, there is no need to sign and packaged without other production ready options. You can refer to the official manual for help.
Hope this help others who do not know how to package an application on macOS in 2020, just like me.

So none of these options worked for me (maybe because I am running OS X 10.15, maybe because most of these projects are years old, who knows). Installing Catalina made the existing app I had built around the Java app no longer work.
Ultimately, this post helped: Just use Automator to run a script that runs the java command to launch the jar. I wanted to make an app to launch Colossus, a Java version of the old Avalon Hill board game Titan. I wrote a shell script that looks like:java -Xmx256m -jar /my/path/to/the/game/Colossus.jar net.sf.colossus.appmain.Start and then created an automator application whose only action was "Run Shell Script" that launches that script. Works like a charm, no installing Ant, no command line apps requiring you to download java vms, and best of all it uses an Apple tool so will work with newer versions of OS X.

You can try this app , it bundles your jar file into Mac app
Edit: it's easy to use , select the Jar file and an Icon. Here you can see the screen shoot.
https://github.com/aprsn/Mac-App-Creator