CODEWITHSUNDEEP
javadeployment
samsri
samsri

Reputation: 1104

how to make program able to install

I have finished developing my java application using netbeans. Now I want to give it to others. How can I change it so that user can directly install and run my application without having to run it from IDE or command line.

Thank you

Upvotes: 5

Views: 299

Answers (4)

Stephen C
Stephen C

Reputation: 718708

For a simple application with no dependencies, the easy way is to create an executable JAR file.

For a complicated application, you need to package up the primary JAR and the other things that it depends on, and present that in a way that the user can install. This might be a simple ZIP file (or equivalent) for the user to unzip. (That is the way that Eclipse and is distributed for example). Alternatively, it might be a fancy installer ... which you would need to write or generate. (There are a variety of installer generators out there: some free / open source, others commercial.)

Basically, you need to balance "ease of installation" for the user against the amount of effort (and money) you are prepared to spend on creating installer infrastructure for your application.

Alternatively, if you are prepared for the application to be hosted on and launched from a web server, then Java WebStart is a good alternative to an installer, not least because it removes the need to get the user to reinstall to pick up newer versions of your application.

Upvotes: 3

ChadNC
ChadNC

Reputation: 2503

You can give JSmooth a try and see how it works for you. I haven't used it before but a co-worker of mine has several times and he seemed to be happy with it.

Upvotes: 1

Eldad Assis
Eldad Assis

Reputation: 11045

Look into some free packaging installer like presented in here. You should understand how your application should be setup on a "clean" machine and describe it to the tool you use.

I've used IZPack in the past and am very pleased with it.You will also need to know how to package your app into jars/wars/ears (or other).

I hope this gives you a staring point.

Upvotes: 1

duffymo
duffymo

Reputation: 308743

You have a few options:

  1. If "install" means an icon to click on and run your app, you can create an installer to do so. You don't specify your target operating system. I'd recommend Googling for installers like Wise.
  2. You can create an executable JAR with a launch command file for users to execute.
  3. You can use Java Web Start.

You'll have to assume that your user base has a JVM of the correct version installed and available for your app to use.

You don't say anything about databases or other services, so I'll assume that you have a main method that you want to launch.

Upvotes: 4

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