A Java Question

**chris_uk_83** · July 13, 2007, 05:22 AM

I've been writing a Java program or two recently and I'd quite like to know how I can turn them into proper executable programs, rather than having to run them through the IDE.

If anyone can point me in the direction of any further reading I'd be quite appreciateive.

Also, I'm eventually after making my program executable on a PDA running Windows Mobile. Will the process of making it executable be any different, and will it work at all?

Cheers

**Simetrical** · July 14, 2007, 11:47 PM

I don't work with Java, but it isn't really meant to be compiled to EXE. Google turned up this, which doesn't sound terribly promising for you. In general, if you want to write EXEs you should use a language whose primary implementations are compilers, like C++.

**Erik** · July 15, 2007, 02:56 AM

Simetrical is right, you can't (to my knowledge) turn a Java program into a stand-alone executable.

You must convert your sourcecode into java bytecode, using the java compiler ("javac").
Then you'll need a java bytecode interpreter (usually called a "java virtual machine") to run the java bytecode.

The big advantage is that java bytecode programs can run (unaltered) on any computer with a java bytecode interpreter, and that includes a wide range of different platforms, including:
-PC's (both Windows and Lunux)
-Unix workstations.
-Mac's
-PDA's
-Most mobile phones.

Stand-alone programs usually only work on one platform.

Since you want your program to run on your PDA, it was probably a good idea to make it in java.

**chris_uk_83** · July 17, 2007, 03:10 AM

Thanks guys. So all I really need is my jar file? It ought to work on my PDA simply by copying it across and running it?

I've yet to buy the PDA so I can't actually test this yet

**Erik** · July 17, 2007, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by chris_uk_83

So all I really need is my jar file? It ought to work on my PDA simply by copying it across and running it?

Yes, just copying the .jar files should work.

**Simetrical** · July 17, 2007, 02:15 PM

Assuming it has the JVM installed.

**chris_uk_83** · July 19, 2007, 03:19 AM

Cheers guys, it really was that simple! Got it working fine now. All I have to do now is fix the resolution to fit the mini screen!

On a side note, does anyone know if there's a pluggable look and feel for windows mobile available?