Compiling Java program to a stand-alone application

[Punch-M6.net]

Does anyone know if it is possible to compile a Java program to a stand alone program so that it can just be run and, if so, how to do it?

At the moment I usually just write a BAT file that calls Java and then runs the compiled file, but that only works if it points to the proper address of the Java runtime (well, with my limited bat writing skills it does, anyway)

Thanks for any help.

[Belisarius]

You can compile it to a "jar" file. In windows, that means you should be able to just double-click on it if you have Java setup right (Windows associates it with "jar" files).

I actually wrote a walkthrough a while ago for setting it up (when you installed Java, it should have been setup automatically).

[akpugazh]

Just put all you Java files and Pacakges in a folder say if you are creating a XYZ application put them in a folder called XYZ and then zip it using winzip with name "XYZ.jar". This is the executable jar which will work.

[bdl]

If you're talking about packaging and distributing a Java app for someone that doesn't necessarily have the JRE installed, and can simply double click an executable file and have it run, yes this is possible.

You might look at something like jexepack (something I ran across whilst searching for this on Google)

[Punch-M6.net]

Thanks for the walkthrough! That's pretty much what I was after, I'd seen .jar files before but didn't know how to make them myself.

And the JexePack looks interesting, I'll have to have a play with it. There was also a link on that page to another program called 'Excelsior Jet' (http://www.excelsior-usa.com/jet.html) that compiles Java programs to native code that also looks interesting.

Thanks again for all the help!