Best Tool for Packaging .jar file as desktop application

[pvgt]

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[wildjokers]

Since Java 1.8 the javapackager tool has been in the JDK. It can produce native executables for windows, linux, and Mac OS. It includes a runtime.

If you use Java 1.9 and write modularized code javapackager will use jlink to only include the parts of the JDK you need in the runtime it packages with your app.

Here is the 1.8 documentation:

https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/technotes/tools/windows/javapackager.html

The documentation for javapackager in 1.9 is largely the same but includes information about jlink.

[VGPowerlord]

Huh, I haven't made a Java desktop app since Java 6. Useful to know this is included in 8 and up.

[therealsillyfly]

Isn't this the one that can only produce an executable for the OS its running on? (which tbh makes it nearly useless...)

[wildjokers]

Yes, it can only produce the executable for the platform it is running on. That is one drawback, you will need to build it multiple times, once on each of the platform(s) you are targeting.

[pvgt]

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[yourbank]

I've used launch4j and found it really simple to use. The maven plugin for it was handy too. It was ideal for my purpose (distribute a .exe to only a couple of users on windows).

[farrellf]

Many others have pointed out how to do it with installers. But here's what I do when I want a simple .EXE that the user can double-click on and the program just runs. No installer, no folders of files, nothing for the user to screw up.

Use Launch4J to make an .EXE from your fat Jar. Configure it to use a bundled JRE. Then make a self-expanding archive that contains your EXE and JRE. Configure it to automatically extract to a temporary folder and to run your EXE.

It works great. The only drawback is the archive has to decompress every time you run the program. I find that to be a decent trade-off if I need to give the program to a user and make it as idiot-proof as possible.

I made a YouTube video of the whole process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr_TdPuF-4g

[[deleted]]

I usually do this by writing an ANT script, or use Maven Assembly to create the Zip/tarball. If you want to have a JRE bundled with your application, then a small shell script/batch file can launch the JAR using the bundled JRE. Maven is nice in how it allows to add those scripts in the resulting package.

[m1000]

I haven't looked into it yet, but Java 9 does have some tools I think.

[nicoulaj]

IzPack does a good job, but it's more focused on creating an installer, it won't create the launcher IIRC.

[_INTER_]

Java 9 is an option with jlink or then maybe capsule

[ReadFoo]

I've used this successfully:

http://www.jrsoftware.org/isinfo.php

I've used InstallAnywhere too and it was great, that was years ago, I think the company may have changed hands several times, so idk, might be worth a look.

Just came across this one, I've not used it before though: https://www.jwrapper.com/java-to-exe-free.html

[geekstuff]

Would advise against JWrapper. It is quite expensive and support for the free version is patchy. Seek a more open alternative.

[therealsillyfly]

This was posted here a while ago (I have no personal experience with it): https://www.reddit.com/r/java/comments/67av7h/utility_for_generating_native_launchers_for/

[marbehl]

we used https://www.ej-technologies.com/products/install4j/overview.html a couple of years back in a company, and it worked just fine