Thread: How do I create and run a jar file?

Hello!

I'm just starting out with programming and Java is my first language in which I code. However, while the coding itself is advanced but relatively easy to find information about I have had lots of problems when trying to find information about what to do when my code is ready.

So, this is my situation:
I am writing Java in Eclipse and av recently finished a small and simple test program containing a few classes. To show my progress to friends of mine I want to turn this source code into a program and send it to them. The question is, how do I do this?

I've been able to export the jar file itself from Eclipse but not been able to run it. I've also found tutorials saying that I should modify MANIFEST.MF file but I have not been able to do that, at least not in the right way, as it has not worked yet.

In eclipse, you just export the project as a runnable jar, and include the dependencies... I never had an issue when I did that.

Ah, so it's supposed to be simple. It would seem I managed to get it to work now when exporting it as a runnable jar. It was then just run it with the proper command. Sadly I must have missed doing that before, even though I tried for, well, a long time. Last time I mostly exported it as a "regular" jar and tried doing stuff with that, might have messed things up.

So, thanks anyway, even if you didn't actually answer ^^

I always use "launch4j" to make an exe file. Look up a tutorial on youtube how to use it.

Thanks KevinWorkman and Elamre too! I did get it to work though and it runs just fine on my and most of my friends computers.

However, when one of my friends tries to start the file from the .bat file the rest of us are using, the command prompt which the program runs in (as I said, simple) opens but instantly closes. The same happens when he tries to use other, commercial, java programs that are run in the same way. Therefore I suspect that something might be wrong with his java install. To be noted is that running such jar files has worked for him before. Other specifications of the problem would be that he can run other Java programs that does not involve a command prompt, i.e. Java is installed.

So, as I haven't yet found anything on Google, I will just go ahead and see if anyone reading this thread could possibly point me in the right direction for this problem too. Is a re-install of Java to be recommended or is there something else to do?

The command used to run the program is of the type "java -jar FileName.jar" and seems to work for everyone else.

I've had that problem a lot as well. For some of my friends it was an outdated java version. For the others the .exe worked. Give it a try, it's so much easier.

Ah, ok. Thanks! I might try that!

Ok, thanks! I will sure try that!

Everyone here is so helpful, this has been my first thread, but I will sure stay

hello Ecen,
I am not a Java expert but i can do some research on internet and answer your questions. I have done some research for your problem and found this: How do make jar runnable file? | Techyv.com

another one is this link:Creating an Executable jar File
those two may help you to understand the solution.