How do I create an installer exe file with MySql DB included? What is the best way to install the database along with my application?
You can use two separate technologies, one (like JSmooth) to create an exe from a jar (this exe is only a wrapper around your jar, which will be uncompressed at runtime), and another (like NSIS) for creating a "setup exe": an installer program that can include your previously created jar-exe and and any other programs, such as a database.
Of course, this would be a Windows-only solution, Windows exe files do not run on Linux/Mac. Jar files run everywhere (if Java is installed)
yes i have GUI,..
Then you need Java Web Start for deploying it (to Windows, OS X and *nix).
JWS offers the ExtensionInstallerService that might be used to invoke an installer for the DB, and a PersistenceService for storing any connection details. See demos. of both in the Java Web Start examples.
Related
Recently I developed a jar file with JavaFX. Now my problem is how to convert it into an executable so it can install and run on other systems which do not have any JDK installed.
Also, when the client system starts from shutdown or hibernate I'd like the executable to run automatically.
I searched a lot on Google and I found content on the internet, but I did not find how I can achieve this.
how I can convert it into exec with the install so it can install into other systems which do not have any JDK on that system
You always need the JRE to run the jar file, there's no way around that. However, since the assumption that almost all systems would have the JRE installed is no longer correct, the normal thing these days is to bundle the entire JRE with the installer and use launch4j to create an exe file.
and another thing I want is that when client system start from shutdown or hibernate exec should run automatically.
You can't do this at the Java level, so it depends what OS you're running on. On windows you could use sc.exe to create a windows service from the executable, or you could just put it in the relevant user's startup folder.
I'm new at Java for Mac developement and I spent a lot of time finding a way how to create an installer. It's strange but it's not too much information about it. All the ways lead to using of JavaAppLauncher. (I use appbundler-1.0.jar and Ant to build .app) But I faced a following problem.
JavaAppLauncher sets working directory to user folder. My application consists of several jar files, resources and configuration files. All of them located in Contents/Java inside the .app structure. I use relative paths to them, relative to the executable jar with Main class.
I googled 2 discussions only, where someone asked how to set the working directory inside the .app bundle. Threre is a way to sed -Duser.dir JVM option in plist file of .app bundle. I tried this and it behaves strange. When I use "new File(".").getAbsolutePath()" - it shows the directory I pointed in -Duser.dir parameter, but when I try to create file on disk or read file from disk - it still goes to the user folder as it was by default.
May be someone knows what is wrong there?
Or is there any better way to create a java application bundle for Mac?
Thank you, guys.
Use JarSplice to create OS X app bundle. Compile all your jars and resources into one jar file and export as mac .app file.
Deploying Java Applications can be a pain if your application has multiple jars and native libraries. There are the options of using Java Web Start or Java Applets however these are not always suitable.
Executable Jars are an option, however if your project has multiple jars or native files then it can be tricky to use this option.
JarSplice attempts to solve this issue by allowing you to merge all your jars and native files into one, easy to use executable jar file.
Features:
Creates a single executable fat jar via an easy to use GUI.
Automatically extracts only the native files needed for the OS the jar is running on.
Automatically cleans up any extracted native files after the application quits.
Add VM arguments on jar creation which removes the need to enter them via the command line.
Optionally create a Shell Script (.sh) launcher for Linux with embedded fat jar.
Optionally create an OS X App Bundle (.app) for running your application.
Optionally create a Windows Application (*.exe) for running your application.
This is the best cross-platform installer creator i have found yet. You can get the java executable from here
This is still awhile down the road for me but for my Project Implementation class we have to create a program and then distribute it. I have written an application in Java and from the specification I have made in the previous class (Project Design) my application will need to be platform-independent.
For mac and linux the user can just run the jar file from the terminal, but for windows I would like to have the Application installed to the path user chooses (default: C:\Program Files(x86)\NameOfApplication), Create a desktop shortcut (if the user wishes to have one), install under the start menu (if the user wants it to) and then also show up in the add\remove programs list.
Is there any easy way to do this?
Is it any harder if I did decided to create an installer for mac and linux?
Thanks in Advance.
You can create an installer with NSIS, even for a Java application.
You might also consider distributing your application via Java Web Start.
There are opensource installer generators for java. I have never used one before. Here is a good resource of links
I recommend using Java Web Start.
It has several advantages.
Available for all major desktop platforms
Single distribution for all JWS-enabled platforms
Code-signing and sandboxing
Versioning and incremental updates
Automatic installation of JREs and optional packages
It has one major disadvantage.
Internet connectivity is required if JWS, JRE, and/or an Optional
Package is not present on the system
Have a look here and here
Install4j does what you want, although you have to pay for it. Personally, I am not aware of any free alternatives. You can make installers for Linux and Mac OS as well.
you can use Exe4J, see http://www.ej-technologies.com/products/exe4j/overview.html
You can do most of that using standard JNLP:
http://docs.oracle.com/javase/1.4.2/docs/guide/jws/developersguide/syntax.html
You make a JNLP file that takes the executable JAR from some local (or remote) location and creates a Desktop icon for it (of your chosing). Only difference is that the actual JAR will be placed in the JDK's jar cache directory (not in a directory of your choice - I don't think the user would care much).
The huge advantage with this is that if you make a JNLP that installs the jar from a remote location, you can remotely upload a new version of the jar to that location, and when the user next accesses the jar locally, your latest version will be downloaded and placed into local cache.
Also I recommend you use a smart "fat JAR" builder, which packages all dependency jars inside the executable jar. Eclipse IDE has a way to export a project in this format (and also adds the necessary class-loader so that all works ok from on fat jar).
If your target OS is windows I highly recommend Advanced Installer. It's very very easy to use and will let you create your own native microsoft installer (.msi) with specific target Java VM and a bunch of useful windows features, even in the free version. Note you can also include a private jre into the package.
http://www.advancedinstaller.com/top-freeware-features.html
If you want a "package one deploy everywhere" solution then IzPack is the way to go, platform independant, free and open source.
http://izpack.org/
Depending on the complexity of your project Java Web Start could be a very good option, it's very simple configure and maintain but it relies on the browser's java plugin and believe me... most users DON'T like being warned about certificates and risks everytime they launch an application.
how to deploy a web app java project which depends on tomcat and Sql Server Compact Edition (SqlCE) ?
so that the final user can only install the .jar (I don't know if it can be an .exe or not) and the setup takes care of installing tomcat (portable edition?) and SqlCE
I guess you have two options:
Use components written in java (for instance: embedded jetty as a web server, HSQLDB as a database). Then you can ship your whole application as a JAR archive (or few JARS) and create batch script which will run it (.bat under Windows, .sh under Linux or even .exe installator of some sort). This, however, might require some additional work.
Use some sort of EXE instalator wizard which will: 1. Install Tomcat into specified directory, 2. Install your desired DB, 3. Copy your webapp WAR inside newly created Tomcat installation
I would go for 1, since it will work on every OS.
Is it possible to create a stand alone application in Java (using Swing) and package it into an exe file?
My Idea is, we should be able to double click it and run the application.
If you export a runnable .jar file you will be able to double click and run, but you'll still need the JVM in order to interpret the bytecode.
The best way to deploy a Swing based app. to a client's desktop is using Java Web Start.
JWS offers desktop integration - making a desktop shortcut and menu item, each using an icon if specified. The end use can double-click the desktop shortcut cut to launch the app. ( or single-click the menu item to do the same ;).
Best of all, JWS works for all platforms for which the J2SE is supplied. Windows, Ubuntu, Fedora, Solaris, Mac. OS..
For ensuring the user has the correct minimum JRE needed to run the app., use deployJava.js to write the link to the JNLP launch file.
If you export your project in a .jar file, you will be able to run it when you click on it.
I suppose that you know that you must have the virtual machine installed in the computer that runs the program.(The virtual machine is the thing that allows java to be operative system independent)
And also you must know that if you transform that .jar to an .exe file using some kind of gadget... Then java will not be java anymore, because will not be able to run it in non-windows operative systems.
Remember java slogan
'Write once run everywhere"
See this image here i will explain you how to create a .jar using the eclipse IDE:
1-Select your project in the package explorer
2-Select File>Export from the menu
3-Pick Runnable JAR file from the dialog and
4-Click next and follow the rest of the wizard
You can package your application to JAR file. Application in jar file runs on duoble click.
Here is tutorial. http://download.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/deployment/jar/
You can already do this with a normal .jar file if the user has configured the extension to be executed with the JRE. But you can always use something like Launch4J. Please Note this simply wraps the Jar in a EXE file. The file still needs your Dependencies (.jars) and the JRE enviroment.