How to call a Java program from PowerShell?

Question

I need to call a java program (jar file )from PowerShell. The following code works:

java -jar $cls --js $dcn --js_output_file $dco

But I need to have to run the app in a process (using Start-Process).

I am trying the following with no sucess:

Start-Process -FilePath java -jar $cls --js $dcn --js_output_file $dco -wait -windowstyle Normal

Error:

Start-Process : A parameter cannot be found that matches parameter name 'jar'.

Any idea how to fix it?

Knowing what the actual problem is, I would say that would be a nice thing to have in order to be able to fix it. "No success" is hardly the most verbose problem report I've ever seen :-) — paxdiablo, Feb 24 '15 at 08:56

score 21 · Accepted Answer · edited Feb 07 '19 at 06:29

21

You will need to use following format for powershell:

 Start-Process java -ArgumentList '-jar', 'MyProgram.jar' `
-RedirectStandardOutput '.\console.out' -RedirectStandardError '.\console.err'

Or other option you can use is Start-job:

Start-Job -ScriptBlock {
  & java -jar MyProgram.jar >console.out 2>console.err
}

edited Feb 07 '19 at 06:29

ycomp

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answered Feb 24 '15 at 09:15

Abhijeet Dhumal

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thanks for your answer, could you please provide me an example using my code, I have problem in setting argumentlist – GibboK Feb 24 '15 at 09:26
You need to add your jar name there and if any arguments. – Abhijeet Dhumal Feb 24 '15 at 09:31
sorry i get an error in ArgumentList, could you please provide me an example with multiple arguments to pass.....in my case are variable like $dcn and so on... thanks – GibboK Feb 24 '15 at 09:38
You will need to quote the parameter. like "$dcn" while passing it to command. – Abhijeet Dhumal Feb 24 '15 at 09:46

paxdiablo · Answer 2 · 2015-02-24T09:18:24.980

1

It looks like the -jar is being picked up as an argument of Start-Process rather than being passed through to java.

Although the documentation states that -ArgumentList is optional, I suspect that doesn't count for -option-type things.

You probably need to use:

Start-Process -FilePath java -ArgumentList ...

For example, in Powershell ISE, the following line brings up the Java help (albeit quickly disappearing):

Start-Process -FilePath java -argumentlist -help

but this line:

Start-Process -FilePath java -help

causes Powershell itself to complain about the -help.

edited Feb 24 '15 at 09:18

answered Feb 24 '15 at 08:55

paxdiablo

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thanks for your answer, could you please provide me an example using my code, I have problem in setting argumentlist – GibboK Feb 24 '15 at 09:24

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Feb 24 '21 at 05:23

Option 1 [Using Start-Job ScriptBlock]

Start-Job -ScriptBlock {
  & java -cp .\Runner.jar com.abc.bcd.Runner.java >console.out 2>console.err
}
if ( $? == "True")
   write-host("Agent started successfully")
else if ($? == "False")
   write-host("Agent did not start")

Option 2 [Using Start-Process]

Start-Process -FilePath '.\jre\bin\java' -WindowStyle Hidden -Wait -ArgumentList "-cp .\Runner.jar com.abc.bcd.Runner"

That's how i did it using above two options initially.

Option 3 [Using apache-commons-daemon]

I can suggest a better and robust alternative.

You can use apache-commons-daemon library to build a windows service for your java application and then start, stop the service very conveniently.

There is amazing youtube video which will explain apache commons daemon and how to build a windows service. I will attach the reference at the end.

References :

https://commons.apache.org/proper/commons-daemon/index.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NjdTlriM1g

How to call a Java program from PowerShell?

3 Answers3

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