Making a java executable

Kevo

Hi
I just tried making an executable java program which consists of 3 class files. The jar file compiles without any problems but when I double click on it I get an error:

"Failed to load main-class manifest attribute from c/etc"

Any idea of what I am doing wrong?

I think it may be because my program requires a command shell in order to run?
Is there any way to make the jar file launch a command shell?

Thanks,
Kev

Devoy

You need to add a manifest file to your jar. The manifest file allows you to specify various properties of the jar - one of these properties is called "main-class" and is suppose to contain the the full name of a class within the jar that implements a Main method. Google for "jar manifest" for more details.

Kevo

Thanks, got that sorted but now my program doesn't really do anything since it doesn't launch a command shell. Is there anything that I can add to the jar file to launch a command shell?

OfflerCrocGod

Kevo wrote:

Thanks, got that sorted but now my program doesn't really do anything since it doesn't launch a command shell. Is there anything that I can add to the jar file to launch a command shell?

Print something out but that will just flash the shell up for 1 sec so you need to print out "Press OK" and add a read statement to stop it from disappearing.

Hobbes

I just create a batch file that runs "start javaw ....."

After that I compile the batch file with Batch file Compiler.
http://www.abyssmedia.com/quickbfc/

I have the jars in a subdirectory so anyone casually looking at it thinks its just an EXE.

Hobbes

Kevo wrote:

Thanks, got that sorted but now my program doesn't really do anything since it doesn't launch a command shell. Is there anything that I can add to the jar file to launch a command shell?

String[] cmdLine = {"cmd", "/K", "start"};
Process proc = Runtime.getRuntime().exec(cmdLine);