No honey is dripping out of my .jar

I followed the steps in Create JAR file in Java & Eclipse | Update JAR file in Java | ViralPatel.net to create a .jar file.

However, 2-clicking the resulting .jar file does neither diddly nor squat nor anything else of note.

This is my first Java application. I was hoping it would be like a Windows .exe and "just work," but apparently I'm missing something.

I extracted the jar to see what was in it. Feeling a bit like Winnie (not Mandela), I was hoping for some honey. Instead, I saw:

Code:

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com (folder)
META-INF (folder)
.classpath
.project

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Buried deep within the "com" folder (following my package structure down) are several *.class files.

The META-INF folder contains one file, namely "Manifest.MF" which has one lonely line, specifically:

Code:

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Manifest-Version: 1.0

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I'm guessing probably a little more than this is needed?

The manifest file needs a Main-Class: record.

No idea how to tell your IDE how to create one.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Norm

The manifest file needs a Main-Class: record.

No idea how to tell your IDE how to create one.

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OK; I'll do a little more digging.

BTW, is that a solar panel growing out the side of your head, or...???

Quote:

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a solar panel growing out the side of your head

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Yes, actually it is a bit behind me. Do you recognize the archaic tool I'm holding in my hand?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Norm

Yes, actually it is a bit behind me. Do you recognize the archaic tool I'm holding in my hand?

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I'm guessing it's some sort of haywire turbo-charged weapon for shooting clay pigeons.

Nothing as interesting as that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Norm

Nothing as interesting as that.

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Okay, it's a sextant?

Congratulations. If there were a prize, you'd win it.

Old Navy, I take it.

Yes. And also a sailor.

Which makes three songs come to mind: I'm Your Captain/Closer to Home, Sailing to Philadelphia, and the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Anyway, here is how I finally learned to love the Jar file and stop worrying about ever getting it to execute/run:

Here are the steps for creating an exucutable/runnable Jar file with Eclipse:

1) Right-click the project and select Run As -> Run Configurations...

2) 2-Click "Java Application"

3) Verify that the correct Project is in the "Project" drop-down

4) Select the Search button, and then select the class from the list which contaisn the "Main" method (with the String[] args)

5) Select the "Apply" then "Close" buttons

6) Note the name of the Configuration file you've created

7) Select File -> Export -> Runnable Jar File

8) Select the "Next" button

9) Verify that the item in the "Launch Configuration" drop-down is the one you created (see step 6)

10) Give the Jar file a full path and name in the "Export destination" drop-down

11) Select Finish

12) Stare in awe and wonderment at the beauty of it all as you 2-click your jar file and see it execute/run