packaging java application

Question

I have a java application from which I build a jar that relies on many third party jars, what's the best/common way of packaging this application for end user distribution?

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/759855/what-are-good-installanywhere-replacements-for-installing-a-java-ee-application — Dave Jarvis, Jan 10 '11 at 18:39
What operating systems are you targeting? Do you need to stick with a "pure java" solution? — David J. Liszewski, Jan 10 '11 at 18:57

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 10 '11 at 18:16

3

The best way is to use a build tool like Maven2 or something similar, and use that to manage your dependencies and build a all-in-one package.

Otherwise, you'd mostly be stuck with messing with manifest files. Although, IDEs like Eclipse or NetBeans may help you a bit with that.

answered Jan 10 '11 at 18:16

Goran Jovic

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other option to maven is ant, still I prefer Maven – Hurda Jan 10 '11 at 18:23

score 3 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 10 '11 at 18:24

The way packaging is done. There are two ways

wrap as executable: This is common, if you know the supportable platform and wrap the Jar in executable. And distribute it. Something like this http://launch4j.sourceforge.net/ (I have not used this, but there are similar wrapper available)
Bundle all Jar and provide script: You can use Maven's Assembly plug-in to bundle everything in one Jar. With this done, you can distribute with a bat file and a .sh file for Windows and Linux based systems respectively. If you see Glassfish is distributed in similar manner. These scripts has executable command and, often take parameters for different behaviors.

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Jan 10 '11 at 18:18

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You can also use Fat Jar Eclipse Plug-In

OR

Packaging and Deploying Desktop Java Applications in NetBeans

answered Jan 10 '11 at 18:18

Naveed

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packaging java application

3 Answers3

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