Java and Jars ?

Hi, I want to know something.
How can I some Java code I have to a JAR ? (I usually know it but allways become entangled with this, so I want an easy way to do it)
and second thing,
Lets say I have a simple program that is doing something, and I want it ti use a JAR, I mean in the JAR there is a main.class that I want my program to call it and just run it - simple is it gets.
How do I do it?

"How can I some Java code I have to a JAR ? (I usually know it but allways become entangled with this, so I want an easy way to do it)"

A jar file is pretty much similar to a tar file. A tar file, however, has no compression rate at all. It is possible, however, to make a jar file executable (and it is perhaps the most efficient way to use a jar). To create a executable jar, you've to create a file called manifest file. This is how you do that:

http://csdl.ics.hawaii.edu/~johnson/...jar-files.html

"Lets say I have a simple program that is doing something, and I want it ti use a JAR, I mean in the JAR there is a main.class that I want my program to call it and just run it"

Basically, yes. I use several .jar files together with my programs. For example, my weblog uses extern frameworks such as hibernate, which are basically a .jar file. From my program I can access all classes within that jar without a problem. I never create a jar myself to use with another program yet. Usually the jars I use are third part API's. If that is what you mean

I would highly recommend you to use an IDE such as Eclipse, Netbeans or even Bluej. They all have easy ways to handle several jars in a project and build executable jars without the need to create manifest files by hand...

Regards!

More links:
JAR (file format) >> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JAR_%28file_format%29

Ok, but lets say that someone give me a JAR file, and he say it has a MAIN.class I shuld run, How do I do it from within my program?

To run the jar, use "java -jar yourFriendsApp.jar".

To call the main method from within your program:

somepackage.someClass.main(args);

Ok tanx, Do I need to put it in my import files or something??

any one?

Hi -

1. This article might help answer some of your questions about "how the heck does Java find the right class (either from a .jar, and/or fromt he environment):

class loader basics

2. If you "public static void main (String[] args)" happens to be in .class file, you start your program like this:

cd CORRECT DIRECTORY java MyClass

If, on the other hand, your "main ()" happens to be in a .jar, then:

java -cp JARFILE MyClass

3. You can have many different "static public void main()" entries, each in different public classes. But your program will only ever invoke *one* of them - it all depends on how you start the program with your java command line.

4. A second issue you brought up relates to "packages" and "qualified names". Please read this article, it might help answer some of your questions on this second issue:

Package Basics

5. Finally, there's a special-purpose "JarClassLoader":

JarClassLoader Basics

I *don't* think JarClassLoader is what you want - but I thought I'd mention it anyway.

'Hope that helps .. PSM