How can i make java program executable?

[Packard Dell]

Hi. Ok, I have created a jar file for my java program. I just only want to ask how can i make that jar file executable when it is double clicked? Or, if that can't be done with jar, is there any other method of doing it so? And also, how can i include or put that java program under Applications > Games menu?

Thanks....

[drummer]

You run them with the command 'java -jar file.jar', you could write a shell script to run it. Open up gedit (or your favourite text editor), and put this in it:

#!/bin/bash
cd /path/to/javafiles
java -jar filetorun.jar

(replacing of course the right directories/file names)

Then save the file, open a shell and cd to the directory you saved the script in. Then,

chmod +x shellscript
sudo cp shellscript /usr/bin

and the program can be run like any other (ie. by typing the name of the shellscript in a terminal, in Alt-F2, or in a launcher in the menu).

To add the program to the menu, use the menu editor in Applications > System Tools.

[Packard Dell]

Thanks for your quick reply, i really appreciate it. I tried what you instructed me to do, it works if i run it from the terminal but not on double clicking it or by the ALT+F2 (Run Application). If you don't mind asking you this (just an additional info for me) I am wondering why do i have to copy the shell script that i created to the /usr/bin directory?

[drummer]

Hmm... the program should work from the run application if it's in /usr/bin i think. Executable files in /usr/bin, or in /usr/local/bin, or similar can be run without having to type the full path of the executable in.

You can also run the file by typing in the full path in either a terminal or the run application and not have to put it in /usr/bin, i just think it simplifies the process (perhaps not). Perhaps try putting the script in the directory where the program is, remove the line in it with 'cd /blah/blah' and run it by entering the entire path to the script (ie. in a terminal or run application '/home/user/program/script'). Maybe i should have started off simpler, so it's easier to tell where things went wrong

[darth_vector]

he is putting the executable in /usr/bin to avoid changing the path variable. for self made scripts like this i would make a directory in my home directory called bin

mkdir $HOME/bin

then put the script in it and add the following to ~/.bashrc

PATH=$PATH:$HOME/bin

but its just a personal preference thing really.

[kvorion]

I am wondering why do i have to copy the shell script that i created to the /usr/bin directory?

By default, all the scripts present in /usr/bin can be run directly from any location cos /usr/bin is present in ur $PATH. So if u add any script into that folder, you can run it from anywhere.

One more thing you would have noticed is that we have to type ./progname to execute any prog in your current directory. (the ./ is for the current directory) Because of some reason they decided to not include the current directory in the path. So the best thing to do would be what darth_vector suggested. Create a folder and add it to the path variable.

[tageiru]

he is putting the executable in /usr/bin to avoid changing the path variable. for self made scripts like this i would make a directory in my home directory called bin

mkdir $HOME/bin

then put the script in it and add the following to ~/.bashrc

PATH=$PATH:$HOME/bin

but its just a personal preference thing really.

There is no need to modify the path variable, it is already done in .bash_profile for $HOME/bin

[darth_vector]

it is too! ubuntu is full of nice things like that

[drummer]

Wow.. never knew that, well something new learned today.

[Packard Dell]

Thanks. I tried all your suggestions but still no luck at all. Nothing is happening when i double click it or run it from ALT+F2, but i can run it from terminal though in any directory. There must be some other way of solving this.