Convert java to execute

JAR to EXE : Java program to Windows executable

Java is the best programming language available today that works across different platforms. I love Java and JavaFX. Once you finish writing your application, you may want to release it. The problem is, the native Java program executable, the good old .jar files always have a cup icon and sometimes a simple double click wont open them. The solution to this problem is to convert JARs to native executable, for windows .exe files.

In this article, I will explain how to make windows executable (.exe) from your Java / JavaFX program. Having exe file for windows has many advantages. We can set icons, properties, version information etc.

Step 1 : Make JAR file for your application

The first step is making a JAR file from your java code. This is pretty simple if you are using an IDE like NetBeans.

NetBeans : NetBeans provide option for making JAR file very easily. Just right click on your project from Projects window and then select “clean and build”. This will create a folder called “dist” in your project directory. Inside dist, there will be the final JAR. All the libraries required for running the program will be inside “/dist/lib” directory.

Maven : Maven uses convention over configuration, this means that you only need to tell Maven the things that are different from the defaults. You can use “mvn package” command to create JAR files.

Step 2 : Download Launch4J

Launch4J is so far the best wrapper available for converting JAR files to windows executable. It is written in JAVA and is open source. Download latest version of Launch4J from http://launch4j.sourceforge.net/. Once You install and open it, you will get the following screen.

On the first look, the interface may look little confusing, but it is actually simple and every field will become too important once you get used to it.

Step 3 : Launch4J Basic Configurations

This tab contains the most basic configurations for the exe like jar file to be converted and the icon to be used.

Basic

• Output File
  This is the location where the compiled EXE (executable) file will be created once the conversion is complete
• Jar
  Location of the Jar file to be converted in to executable
• Wrapper manifest
  You can specify manifest file here. This will be used for processing the application against User Account Control(UAC) in windows.
• Icon
  Here you can specify the icon. It has to be in ico format.
• Change dir
  Change current directory to an arbitrary path relative to the executable. If you omit this property or leave it blank it will have no effect. Setting it to . will change the current dir to the same directory as the executable. .. will change it to the parent directory, and so on.
• Command line args
  Here you can specify the java arguments

In case if the system doesn’t have supported Java, the error message and URL to download can be specifed under the Java Download and Support Sections.

Classpath

Here you can specify classpath for your main class. Select the JAR file by selecting the directory icon from right and the default classpath corresponding to main class will be loaded. You can edut them from Edit Item text field.
You can also add or remove classpath for given main class from this section.

Single Instance

Here you can specify whether you need only once instance of the application running at a time. Give a mutext name and window title if single instance option needed.

JRE

This section allows configuring JRE. If you are bundling JRE with your product (Which is not a good idea at all), you can specify the path here. You can check the ‘Fallback option’ so that the bundled JRE will only be used when the JRE isntalled on the system does not matches with min and max version requirement.

Min JRE Version is a mandatory field and it has to be specified.You can also specify Heap parameters or any JVM options in the corresponding fields.

Splash

If you need a custom splash screen, you can check the “Enable Splash Screen option”. Then specify the file (Either bitmap image or JAR file). In the TimeOut field, time out can be specified.

Version Info

This is a good way to properly specify version information for your executable. This entries will then be shown in the properties section of executable.

Messages

Messages section allows to create custom messages when errors occur. You can enable this option by checking “Add custom messages”.

Step 4 : Compile and Make Executable

Once the entries are filled, you have to save the configuration. For saving, click on the Floppy DIsk icon from the menu. Your configuration entries will be saved as an xml file called config.xml. After saving click on the Setting like icon next to save button to start converting to executable file.

If it the wrapping was a success, you should see the following messages in Log

Compiling resources Linking Wrapping Successfully created D:\Library Assistant\dist\Library Software.exe 

You can start your program from executable by clicking on the Play button from menu.

Watch video tutorial from Genuine Coder YouTube channel :-

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How to Convert a Java File to an Executable? (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Java distributions can be a significant pain to figure out — especially when you have no clue how these files work on the backend of your native operating system. While there are multiple ways to package Java files, most are too arduous for beginners.

Now, you could pay someone to do it on your behalf, but that’s no fun — especially when you’re a programmer.

Since converting java files to executables isn’t a one-step process, you’d have to delve deep into the technical stuff to understand it truly.

With that out of the way, the best method of converting Java files into an executable is by using the built-in functionality of an IDE like IntelliJ IDEA. While this shaves off some technical flexibility, it’s plenty for beginners and regulars.

Hence, it’s recommended you download and configure the IntelliJ IDEA by creating and opening your project from there. This IDE is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, thereby making it perfect for our use case:

Operating System	IDEA Source
Windows	Download
macOS	Download
Linux	Download

This article will primarily focus on creating executable JAR files for your specific operating systems. For simplicity’s sake, we will use built-in IntelliJ IDEA methods to achieve this goal.

Table of Contents

Creating A Project On IntelliJ IDEA

1. Installation Setup

Once you’ve downloaded the above file, it’s finally time to install it and give the IDEA a go.

Windows Install

Here’s what you need to do for Windows :

1. For starters, click on the setup and press Yes to the Windows Prompt.
2. Next, select your settings, and don’t forget to add IntelliJ IDEA to the path . Here’s what it’ll look like:

1. Add the bin folder to the PATH and hit Next > .
2. Now, press Install, and wait for the process to finish.

Linux Install

The installation steps you’d need to take will differ vastly if you’re on Linux. Luckily, we have those listed for you down below:

1. Once the directory has been changed, enter the following command to extract the installation file from the downloads directory.

1. Replace the with the actual path of the downloaded installation file. For example, an IDEA file stored in the Downloads folder will look something like this:

sudo tar -xvzf ~/Downloads/ideaIU-2020.3.tar.gz

Mac Install

The installation process on macOS is pretty simple compared to the rest. Just drag the .dmg file from the Downloads Folder to the Applications Folder, and you’re good to go!

2. Creating a Project Out of the Java File

Once you’ve downloaded and opened IntelliJ IDEA, it’s time to create a new project, so you can load all your files up to convert them to an executable later on.

With that said, follow the steps below for all platforms:

1. Launch IntelliJ IDEA, and choose New Project in the Welcome Screen. If it doesn’t show up for you, select File > New > Project instead.
2. Next, wait for the New Project menu to open up and choose your configurations. You can also select a language that does not come packaged with IDEA.

1. Now, select the Build System , and choose a JDK from the list. If you don’t have one, click the download button.

Once the project has been built, open its path and add your code files as needed. This will work on Windows, macOS, and Linux since IntelliJ IDEA is the same on all platforms.

Building Java Applications

1. Converting a Java File to JAR

Once your project is ready and running, it’s time to export it into the JAR config, which can be later processed into a .exe file.

With that said, here’s how you can do it:

1. Lastly, select PATH , and any optional Class , and extract it to the target JAR .

Doing so will make a JAR file that can not only help you convert regular JAVA files to .exe, but also the JAVA Class ones.

2. Convert JAR to Windows exe

You will need to download an application called Launch4J to make this work. Just click on this link , and press the download button.

Once the application has been downloaded, follow the below steps:

1. To start, open Launch4J and select the output file location.
2. Next, enter the PATH to your JAR file and fill the rest with your preferred configurations.
3. Now, click on the Gear button, and name your file to click save.

That’s it! Just open the new exe file you’ve created, and you’re pretty much done.

3. Convert JAR to macOS Executable

Just like Windows, you’d need the aid of some third-party packages to make this work.

Here are all the steps you need to follow:

cd jar2app sudo ./install.sh /usr/local /usr/local/jar2app ~/Downloads/pathg.jar // replace jar path with your jar

4. Convert JAR to Linux Executable

Unlike Windows, Linux does not feature executable files. Rather, you get files that are just a bunch of compiled code or scripts run with interpreters’ help.

To make JARs work on Linux, you’d have to create a bunch of hashbang commands.

$ echo '#!/usr/bin/java -jar' > myBin

1. Now that we have written the hashbang as a string to the new file myBin. It’s time to write the jar to the file:

1. Lastly, set the myBin file to an executable by using the following commands and run the program:

Conclusion

To sum up, in this article, we showed you how to convert a Java file to an executable on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Essentially, it would help if you could convert your JAVA project into a JAR file. Once that’s done, it’s about issuing the commands in their respective operating systems. As mentioned, Linux doesn’t have executables, so you’d be creating a gimmick instead.

Luckily, the process is pretty simple once you get the hang of it since most of the complex stuff is pre-handled by IntelliJ IDEA. Alternatively, you could try your luck at Eclipse if IntelliJ IDEA is too much for you.

Save the resultant JAR file in an accessible PATH, so you won’t have to find it later.

If the steps mentioned above cause an error, try rebooting your device or computer or perform a clean reinstall of the error-causing software.

Lastly, let us know in the comments:

• Were you able to create a JAR file from your JAVA project?
• Have you been able to find a more straightforward be-all-end-all fix?
• Which kind of software are you trying to make?
• Are there any other points or helpful information you believe we should’ve mentioned?

Feel free to share this article amongst your friends and peers, so they don’t have to rack their brains to convert JAR or Java files into executables.

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