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[java] Creating a native launcher

Started by Tylon Dec 23, 2004 at 3:17 AM 7 replies 1k views

Original Post

Dec 23, 2004 at 3:17 AM

There are many programs (install4j, j2exe etc) that allow you to create windows executables that "wrap" the jre and call to javaw.exe so that your application has its own process name (not javaw.exe) and so that you have your own window icon etc. I am assuming this can't be to hard to do in C++ for example, so can anyone give me any resources that explain how this can be done? Also, the above mentioned programs are all commercial, does anyone know of free alternatives? Thanks

capn_midnight

Dec 23, 2004 at 11:13 AM

Excelsior JET has a free, personal edition for non-distributable executables that does not expire so that you can fiddle around with it all you want. It also has a 30 day free trial of the professional edition that allows executable distribution. If you aren't using any AWT or Swing, it will actually compile to a real native application, independent of a JRE. I believe Excelsior is pretty cheap, anyway.

amannis

Dec 23, 2004 at 7:01 PM

JSmooth seemed quite nice. http://jsmooth.sourceforge.net/

role

Dec 23, 2004 at 7:40 PM

Try out JSmooth, the best one (freeware and opensource) I could found.
And perhaps you would try Marner Java Launcer (google it I forget where I download it) for small and straight launcher or Java Launcher (forget too) it's buggy, but I use and like the way it's launch my java program from windows explorer :-)

And yes, Excelsior Jet is the best to compile java app to native application, independent from JRE.
And capn_midnight, Excelsior Jet can use AWT or Swing, I've tried it with my game that use AWT and Swing, it works perfectly!
But still the price is not affordable for small and hobbyist game developer like me.
You could try the personal edition if you want to see your app in native, but you can't distribute it to others, it checks the system before start the app.

jsgcdude

Dec 23, 2004 at 9:26 PM

edit; nevermind....

Here's one, I haven't tried it though.

capn_midnight

Dec 23, 2004 at 11:12 PM

Quote:
Original post by role
And yes, Excelsior Jet is the best to compile java app to native application, independent from JRE.
And capn_midnight, Excelsior Jet can use AWT or Swing, I've tried it with my game that use AWT and Swing, it works perfectly!

It can use it, yes, it just won't run independent of a JRE.

nmi

Jan 1, 2005 at 6:17 AM

read this

Raghar

Jan 1, 2005 at 2:55 PM

Masm32

Of course I was a in big problem until I read Eclipse documentation. They had also a bright idea of doing "exe" launcher. Create link on desktop with information about cmd file if you need a nice -Xmx1000M.

Else you could do

Main-Class: classname
Dont forget on enter after classname, or it will not work.

jar cmf manifest-addition jar-file input-file(s)

http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/index.html
This is a wonderful resource read it completely and use it regulary.

And of course jnlp files...

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