Why isnt my JAR file not working outside of the main folder with bluej classes?

[rajkobie]

I made a jar file and it works fine while the jar file is inside the folder with the bluej classes.

But when i drag to to the desktop for example, the program doesnt run anymore. I double click nothing happens.

i googled the problem and i could not find anything. Please help resolve my issue.

[pbrockway2]

In the absence of runnable (brief!) code it is hard to say.

But a common cause of this sort of thing is where your program accesses resources - like image files and the like. It might run in one location (where the files exist) but fail in another (because the files do not exist there). The solution in such cases is to package such resources within the jar archive and access them using instances of URL rather than File.

I double click nothing happens.

It is quite possible that something - a useful runtime error message - occurs but you don't see it. Try running your program in the jar archive at the new location, but from the command line. That way any runtime messages will be visible in the console.

[rajkobie]

The solution in such cases is to package such resources within the jar archive and access them using instances of URL rather than File

What do you mean by by package?

[pbrockway2]

I mean that the resources should be placed within the jar archive the same way classes are. I have no idea how this is done with BlueJ, but the process is described in some detail in the Packaging Programs in JAR Files section of Oracle's Tutorial.

[rajkobie]

I think it is something wrong with the graphics

i take in images as

imgMyImage = new ImageIcon ( "filename" ).getImage( );
image is right in the folder where the program is run from. Is that the issue?

[rajkobie]

I get the images from the same folder that i run my classes from. is that why?

[pbrockway2]

imgMyImage = new ImageIcon ( "filename" ).getImage( );

In addition to the need to put the filename resource into the jar archive, that code creates an ImageIcon based on a File rather than a URL. Once you have the resource inside the archive you should use it with the other (URL) ImageIcon constructor.

[Norm]

it works fine while the jar file is inside the folder

how are you executing the jar file? What is the command line when you execute it? What OS are you on?

Do you get any error messages?

[rajkobie]

my command line is

jar cfm name.jar manifest.txt *

[rajkobie]

How do i do that? and put to archive

[rajkobie]

In addition to the need to put the filename resource into the jar archive, that code creates an ImageIcon based on a File rather than a URL. Once you have the resource inside the archive you should use it with the other (URL) ImageIcon constructor.

How do i do that? and put to archive

I am not really tech smart

[Norm]

Here's are sample jar command:

jar -cmf SlideShow.mnf SlideShowApp.jar ImgIdxEditor.html
jar -uf SlideShowApp.jar SlideShow\*.class NormsTools\GetInput*.class

jar cfm name.jar manifest.txt *

Your trailing * would put all the files into the jar file.
Look in the jar file and check if everything you need is there. You can rename the file by adding .zip to the filename and use a standard utility to read the jar file as a zip.

[rajkobie]

no man none of those work. I have been trying for 6 hours now. it just works in the bluej folder but breaks down when i put in the outside.

[Dark]

In the absence of runnable (brief!) code it is hard to say.

But a common cause of this sort of thing is where your program accesses resources - like image files and the like. It might run in one location (where the files exist) but fail in another (because the files do not exist there). The solution in such cases is to package such resources within the jar archive and access them using instances of URL rather than File.



It is quite possible that something - a useful runtime error message - occurs but you don't see it. Try running your program in the jar archive at the new location, but from the command line. That way any runtime messages will be visible in the console.

Have you done that yet? I don't see a post saying the results of such a test.

[rajkobie]

Yes I tried that way. For example, i have my jar file dragged to the desktop and i went to command panel and ran through it. It does execute. but nothing happens. i tried it multiple times. it executes nothing happens

[Dark]

BTW a jar file is a Java Archive.

What I'm seeing in this thread is a lack of communication on your part. People are offering advice and things to try, however you are not giving us good descriptions of the problem.

How are you loading the files? Try posting a SSCCE of that code, that way we can see how its supposed to read your files. Once we know what you're trying to accomplish with your code, we can offer better help.

[rajkobie]

ok thank you. I am not really tech smart. I do not know anything about java really. I mostly learn my stuff off tutorial etc.

Since this is a school project I cannot post the whole code but i can post how i load files.

For images

Image myImage = new ImageIcon ( "filename and extension" ).getImage( );

Filename and extension - they are in the same folder as i run bluej files so i just write something like riverImage.jpg. I dont give any directions where it is.

For audio

File myFile = new File ( "file name and extention" );
AudioInputStream in = AudioSystem.getAudioInputSteam ( myFile );
Clip mySound = AudioSystem.getClip ( );
mySound.open ( in );

This is how i load files to my project. Other ways its only code. Again here to the filename is just written as ex. breeze.wav. No other directions to folder or anything. I only use wav files for sound.

I am sorry if this isnt enough. This is for the best of my ability.

oh yea one more part

for images,

if i say

Image myImage = new ImageIcon ( getClass( ).getResource("filename and extension" ) ).getImage( );

They project wont even work in the folder that has bluej files. I am like 80% its something wrong with how i load materials.

[Dark]

If you put your code in [code][/code] tags it would be easier to see what is code and what is not.

Have you put all of your resources inside your JAR file?

[rajkobie]

I don't think so sir.

How exactly do i do so? How do i put in the JAR file?

[Dark]

I'm not sure how you would do it with BlueJ, perhaps someone else will be able to help you. In the meantime I will scour google for you.