jar softwere

Learn how to create, manage, and use JAR files in Java with a step-by-step guide. This tutorial covers compiling Java source files, creating a manifest file, packaging into a JAR, running the JAR, and updating it. Perfect for Java developers looking to streamline their application deployment.

What is JAR?

JAR stands for Java ARchive. It’s a file format based on the popular ZIP file format and is used for aggregating many files into one. Although JAR can be used as a general archiving tool, the primary motivation for its development was so that Java applets and their requisite components (.class files, images and sounds) can be downloaded to a browser in a single HTTP transaction, rather than opening a new connection for each piece. This greatly improves the speed with which an applet can be loaded onto a web page and begin functioning. The JAR format also supports compression, which reduces the size of the file and improves download time still further. Additionally, individual entries in a JAR file may be digitally signed by the applet author to authenticate their origin.

JAR is:

the only archive format that is cross-platform
the only format that handles audio and image files as well as class files
backward-compatible with existing applet code
an open standard, fully extendable, and written in java
the preferred way to bundle the pieces of a java applet

JAR consists of a zip archive, as defined by PKWARE, containing a manifest file and potentially signature files, as defined in the JAR File Specification.

The APPLET tag

Changing the APPLET tag in your HTML page to accomodate a JAR file is simple. The JAR file on the server is identified by the ARCHIVE parameter, where the directory location of the jar file should be relative to the location of the html page:

    <applet code=Animator.class 
      archive="jars/animator.jar"
      width=460 height=160>
      <param name=foo value="bar">
    </applet>

Note that the familiar CODE=myApplet.class parameter must still be present. The CODE parameter, as always, identifies the name of the applet where execution begins. However, the class file for the applet and all of its helper classes are loaded from the JAR file.

Th ARCHIVE attribute describes one or more JAR files containing classes and other resources that will be “preloaded”. The classes are loaded using an instance of an AppletClassLoader with the given CODEBASE. It takes the form archive = archiveList. The archives in archiveList are separated by “,”.

Once the archive file is identified, it is downloaded and separated into its components. During the execution of the applet, when a new class, image or audio clip is requested by the applet, it is searched for first in the archives associated with the applet. If the file is not found amongst the archives that were downloaded, it is searched for on the applet’s server, relative to the CODEBASE (that is, it is searched for as in JDK1.0.2).

The archive tag may specify multiple JAR files. Each JAR file must be separated by “,” (comma). Each file is downloaded in turn:

    <applet code=Animator.class 
      archive="classes.jar ,  images.jar ,  sounds.jar"
      width=460 height=160>
      <param name=foo value="bar">
    </applet>

There can be any amount of white space between entries within the archive parameter. In addition, the archive tag itself is case-insensitive; it can be lower-case, upper-case, or any combination of lower- and upper-case letters, such as ArCHiVe.

Executable JAR Files

On Microsoft Windows systems, the Java 2 Runtime Environment's installation program will register a default association for JAR files so that double-clicking a JAR file on the desktop will automatically run it with javaw -jar. Dependent extensions bundled with the application will also be loaded automatically. This feature makes the end-user runtime environment easier to use on Microsoft Windows systems.

The Solaris 2.6 kernel has already been extended to recognize the special “magic” number that identifies a JAR file, and to invoke java -jar on such a JAR file as if it were a native Solaris executable. A application packaged in a JAR file can thus be executed directly from the command line or by clicking an icon on the CDE desktop.

By following these steps, you can effectively create, manage, and utilize JAR files in your Java projects.

Step 1: Understanding JAR Files

JAR Basics: A JAR file is essentially a zip file with a .jar extension. It can contain Java class files, libraries, resources, and a manifest file.
Purpose: JAR files are used for packaging Java applications and libraries for easy distribution and deployment.

Step 2: Creating a JAR File

Compile Java Classes: Ensure all your Java source files (.java) are compiled into bytecode (.class) files. You can compile them using javac.
javac MyClass.java
Create a Manifest File (Optional): A manifest file (MANIFEST.MF) can be used to specify meta-information about the JAR file, like the main class to run.
plaintext
Manifest-Version: 1.0 Main-Class: MyClass
Package Classes into JAR: Use the jar tool to create the JAR file.
bash
jar cfm MyApp.jar MANIFEST.MF MyClass.class
- c – create new archive
- f – specify archive file name
- m – include manifest file
- MyApp.jar – name of the JAR file
- MANIFEST.MF – path to the manifest file
- MyClass.class – classes to include in the JAR

Step 3: Running a JAR File

If the JAR file is executable (i.e., it has a Main-Class defined in the manifest), you can run it using:
bash
java -jar MyApp.jar

Step 4: Extracting Contents from a JAR File

To view the contents of a JAR file, you can use the jar tool with the t option:
bash
jar tf MyApp.jar
To extract the contents of a JAR file:
bash
jar xf MyApp.jar

Step 5: Adding Files to an Existing JAR

To update a JAR file by adding new files or replacing existing ones:
bash
jar uf MyApp.jar NewClass.class

Step 6: Signing a JAR File (Optional)

For security reasons, you may want to sign your JAR file. This involves creating a digital signature using tools like jarsigner.

Step 7: Verifying a Signed JAR File (Optional)

To verify the authenticity of a signed JAR file, use the jarsigner tool:
bash
jarsigner -verify MyApp.jar

Tools Required

JDK (Java Development Kit): Ensure you have the JDK installed on your system, as it includes the javac and jar tools.
Text Editor: For editing Java source files and manifest files.

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These practical steps should help you understand how to create, manage, and use JAR files in your Java projects.

Step 1: Create Java Source File

Create a Directory for the Project:
bash
mkdir MyJavaProject cd MyJavaProject
Create a Java Source File: Create a file named HelloWorld.java with the following content:
java
public class HelloWorld { public static void main(String[] args) { System.out.println("Hello, World!"); } }

Step 2: Compile the Java Source File

Compile the Java File:
bash
javac HelloWorld.java
This will generate a HelloWorld.class file in the same directory.

Step 3: Create a Manifest File

Create a Manifest File: Create a file named MANIFEST.MF with the following content:
plaintext
Manifest-Version: 1.0 Main-Class: HelloWorld
This manifest file specifies that HelloWorld is the main class of the application.

Step 4: Package the Application into a JAR File

Create the JAR File:
bash
jar cfm HelloWorld.jar MANIFEST.MF HelloWorld.class
This command creates a JAR file named HelloWorld.jar that includes the compiled HelloWorld.class file and the manifest file.

Step 5: Run the JAR File

Run the JAR File:
bash
java -jar HelloWorld.jar
If everything is set up correctly, this command will print:
Hello, World!

Step 6: Extract Contents from the JAR File (Optional)

List the Contents of the JAR File:
bash
jar tf HelloWorld.jar
This command lists the files contained in the JAR file:
arduino
META-INF/ META-INF/MANIFEST.MF HelloWorld.class
Extract the Contents of the JAR File:
bash
jar xf HelloWorld.jar
This command extracts the contents of the JAR file into the current directory.

Step 7: Adding Files to an Existing JAR (Optional)

Update the JAR File with a New Class: Let’s create another class GoodbyeWorld.java:
java
public class GoodbyeWorld { public static void main(String[] args) { System.out.println("Goodbye, World!"); } }
Compile the New Class:
bash
javac GoodbyeWorld.java
Add the New Class to the Existing JAR:
bash
jar uf HelloWorld.jar GoodbyeWorld.class
This command updates the HelloWorld.jar file to include GoodbyeWorld.class.

Step 8: Running a Specific Class from the JAR (Optional)

Run the Specific Class without Modifying the Manifest:
bash
java -cp HelloWorld.jar GoodbyeWorld
This command specifies the classpath to include HelloWorld.jar and runs the GoodbyeWorld class, printing:
Goodbye, World!

Tools Required

JDK (Java Development Kit): Make sure you have the JDK installed on your system to use the javac and jar tools.
Text Editor: Use any text editor to create and edit Java source files and the manifest file.

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