Eclipse jar to an exe? - java

I've searched far and wide, I can create my JAR using eclipse but when I run it, it doesn't run half of the program because it didnt import the API's, because the API's don't exist in the JAR.
I made a simple pac-man game (still learning java :O)
I compiled it into an executable JAR so I could use a program called 4J to turn it into an exe!
However, the JAR doesn't even run the game :/
Don't know what sources you need, so just ask.
Sorry I'm a newb D:

You can supply third-party API within your jar file. This is so called fat jar approach (all classes will be put into one jar according to names of the packages). So you will deal with one jar file (then convert it to exe, or add shell scripts for specific operating systems which will just run java -jar game.jar - too many options).
As for Eclipse search for specific plugins. Or, as mentioned above, use Maven or tool that will give you a portable installer. It's completely up to you.

Related

Package JRE and Jar in to a Windows Executable (exe)

I wish to package both my current system's JRE with a Java (JAR) application that I have created. On Mac I can simply create an app bundle and write a simple script to wire the two together. On Windows I am having trouble finding such a simple solution.
I tried launch4j, but to the best of my knowledge this does not let me package the JRE inside the executable; it must remain as a relative file.
I tried exe4j, but this also does not let me package the JRE within the exe.
My project does not use modules, so unclear how I can incorporate jpackage.
I want to distribute the file (as a portable non-installed app) to people working within my company. They are mostly somewhat computer illiterate, and will be scared off by seeing TWO files (one exe, one JRE).
I also do not want to deal with the headache of asking them to install a java runtime themselves, and end up with everyone having some different runtime. Simply, it is much easier for me to package the JRE with the Jar together as a single file and deliver to the end-user. We are doing this with our mac distributions, and everyone is happy.

IzPack, can it output a single executable jar?

I found some great tutorials for IzPack and it works great at installing my program into a folder. Is it possible to have the contents of those folder wrapped into an executable jar using IzPack? My goal would be to have that executable jar call my python script which launches the application. Let me know what I can do, thanks.
I don't think so. Not because IzPak did not have the capability to do that (it obviously creates the installer's jar), but because it was not designed to do so, AFAIK.
If you want to pack various jars in a single jar file, then you should attack this problem in the build phase of your project. If you use Netbeans, then this link will be useful:
http://java.sun.com/developer/technicalArticles/java_warehouse/single_jar/
About executing the python script... are you using Jython? If not, take into account it is quite difficult to distribute a python program, many apps written in python distribute the interpreter and its required dll's with them.

Trouble installing Boilerpipe

This is the third time I've installed it. I had it working on Windows, and up until a few days ago on Linux. I've done all I can do and I don't understand how to run this Java program.
The source code is a folder with a lib, src some jars and a classpath and project file.
The classpath file makes some declarations like classpathentry=src/main and path=lib, path=src.
All of these make sense. There is a folder 'main' inside 'src'.
The tiny file I'm trying to run starts off by
import de.l3s.boilerpipe.demo
I'm trying to run 'Oneliner.java'. I cannot compile it.
No matter what/where that class file is, I cannot run it. It results in a noclassdeffound.
I've run it in the main, the src, the root, the demo, the ... anywhere.
I've tried compiling it in different directories, running it with various java command line switches that were recommended. Supposedly you can have it 'search' for the file, which I've yet to experience. The sheer stubbornness of this java environment is terrifying. And massively humiliating for me.
I had the same problem with installing it. The 'Getting Started' page is poor quality.
My solution was to use a python wrapper, which you can find here: https://github.com/misja/python-boilerpipe
It takes care of all of the dependencies you'll need (however, you might be missing jpype if you're on a Mac. In that case, you'll need to install it manually from: http://jpype.sourceforge.net/).
The best way to start using the boilerpipe algorithm (and to see what it is for) is to use the demo site:
http://boilerpipe-web.appspot.com/
If you want to integrate the boilerpipe library into your applications, or even intent to modify/improve the code, you will definitely need solid Java programming skills.
As a quick-start I suggest that you install a recent version of the Eclipse IDE for Java Developers and import boilerpipe-core as a project. This avoids pretty much of the classpath configuration, and almost everything should be set up correctly for you.
The classpath file you mentioned is probably ".classpath", which is part of the Eclipse project configuration. You don't need it unless you want an Eclipse project.

Is it impossible to embed Java3D in a way that I don't need to install it?

I'm running a big application and a small part of it includes Java 3D, the problem is many users need to use the code, but it isn't practical for everyone to install Java 3D just to run the application if they aren't even going to use that section of the application.
Is it possible through compiling an extra jar, or changing some paths, to include Java 3D in a project without installing it on a system? Or perhaps to manually include any dlls?
The demos at java3d prove that it is possible.
You only need to include the required jar files to your projects distribution.
Yes, it is possible. You will need to pull the required jars and native libraries from the java3d site. I pulled them from the java3d demos, but that requires digging through the xml launch descriptor files.
The place you'll run into the most trouble is when linking to the .so / .dll files. This is typically specified on the classpath before your app starts, but since you don't know what platform you're using until your app starts, it's a catch22.
There are two possible solutions:
1. Bootstrap your program with a simple class that detects the platform and sets up a new jvm (with the proper libraries specified) for the real application.
2. Dynamically load the libraries (I've never actually used this method for native implementations, but I see no reason why it wouldn't be possible).
Unfortunately, neither method is terribly straight forward.
I've done this with no problems (and many users tested that it works, Windows OS) by simply adding the jars to the classpath and dropping the appropriate dlls into the "working" directory where the .bat file running Java started. One catch is I had to have two bat files - one 32 bit and one 64 bit. Each bat file copy/renames the appropriate dll to j3dcore-ogl.dll, since depending on which version of Java (32/64 bit) you're running, a different jar is needed.
Example .bat file:
del j3dcore-ogl.dll
copy j3dcore-ogl-64.dll j3dcore-ogl.dll
java -Xmx2048m -classpath ./YourJar.jar;./lib/tinylaf.jar;./lib/j3dcore.jar;./lib/j3dutils.jar;./lib/vecmath.jar your.package.MainClass
#pause

How do you use a Java Library?

I'm trying to use an open source java library to visualize nodes and edges in a graph, but I'm completely lost.
I have a bunch of jar files in a folder. Clicking on some of the jar files makes java swing windows pop open with graphs displayed. Clicking other jar files does nothing.
If I figured that out, would I just stick the jar files in there with the other ones, or would that still not work?
And if I ever figure out how to use these files, does that mean that I have to include them if I transfer my java project to another computer? How would I go about doing that?
I believe if you put the jars in your classpath, you can import and use classes just like you would a standard library. Figuring out the classpath can be confusing, but you can just set it when you start your jvm. Your IDE may have options for it, too.
Most java problems are classpath problems.
Have you included those libraries in your classpath?
If you are using eclipse, you could
Project - > properties -> Java build path ->addJar.
And the Jar file should be placed in a directory inside your workspace (lib/ for example)
If you have to take your project to another computer, you could take these steps
Before doing anything, export your project (as a Jar file, for example).
Save it into your favorite drive (cd / usb drive/ diskette/ tape).
On "the other" computer, you can import this project into your workspace
In Eclipse, you need to add libraries to the project build path.
In general, you need to provide dependencies via the classpath mechanisms at compile time and runtime. The precise mechanisms vary, but, for example, if you used the javac compiler, you would provide your libraries on the command line:
javac -classpath C:\dir\lib1.jar;C:\dir\lib2.jar foo/MyClass.java
These dependencies would also be required to invoke the app:
java -classpath C:\dir\lib1.jar;C:\dir\lib2.jar;. foo.MyClass
This page gives some good info, though googling for the term "classpath" should provide alternative sources.
You use it by including it in the classpath of your java application, that way you can reference it from your code. Here is a starter document. The JDK 1.6 has some easier options (such as specifying multiple jar files as *.jar). It is definitely a little complicated, but it is very worth knowing.
You should have documentation for these Jars. Some sounds like examples, but one must be the core graph modelling and rendering Jar. Hopefully the examples have source included.
Just add that Jar to your project in Eclipse (e.g., in a /lib folder in your project, then add it to the build path) and use the documentation to use the code. You can also use Eclipse to look inside the Jar file.
Unless there is no alternative, it probably isn't worth using a load of third party code that isn't documented at least on the API level, and without any source examples definitely not.

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