Distribution?????? 1

[Lupine]

Hello Friends,

Lets say I'm really productive and finish my project in 4-6 years
(better get working on those sprites...) And lets also say I
have a web page where people can download the beast.
Now, what exactly is it that they are downloading?

How do I make it?

Are the end users able to open it up and say "oh, here's the code, image and sound files"? -I don't want that btw-

advice, thoughts, remonstrations?

p.s. I do know how to program, thanks



Lupine
RobertCorrina@patownsend.com

 

[meadandale]

This is kind of a vague question that you've asked. If you are wondering what a packaged java application looks like, well, that really depends. It could be a simple jar file containing all your resources (class files, icons, images, sound files) with a batch file to run it or it could be a complicated package with windows executables and java jar files intermingled with dll's and anything you like. It is uncommon for people to release java software with "the code". Usually all that is included are the class files.

Have fun!

Charles

 

[LittleWing]

u can either use an installation package that would create an .exe to install your app or, if its all going to be a java app, can provide everything in a .zip file. this file could just contain all your jars, sound and image files in particular folders.

why don't you think about this in 4-6 years when u have the project finished??

 

[Lupine]

This is frustrating. Let me explain in a different way...
If they have a PC they should be able to install an .exe
and so on, how does this work?

Lupine
RobertCorrina@patownsend.com

 

[Lupine]

Sorry, I was pressed for time.
OK let me try to explain
1. I finish my project.
2. I have a web page
3. Beta testers will come to the page and they will see
"PC testers DL here" "mac OS9 here" "Linux here"
4. There NEEDS to be an elegant install tailored to each
environment so if you open a .zip or a .sit there is a
clearly labeled install which launches install sheild or VICE.
4a. I will probably have to pay a contractor to write the install sheild/ vice/ whatever install script
4b. assuming that the install script is taken care of what do I create to run on the various platforms??????
are you saying I need to create an exe. and a .dll for windows? Are there any JRE considerations? What about Mac?
What about Linux?

Thanks if you can help.

Lupine
RobertCorrina@patownsend.com

 

[LeonTang]

If your users have JRE in their pc. Just include all your class files into a JAR file get them to download it instead. No need for installation watsoever. Platform independant. Just double click on it to run it. If you need additional help, you can email to me at zaoliang@hotmail.com I don't guaranty that I will be able to solve your problems but I will try my best

 

[Lupine]

OK, so can external files be in the .Jar as well?
and what if the users are on the MAC or Linux?

Thanks all

Lupine
RobertCorrina@patownsend.com

 

[LeonTang]

Does your external files mean gif or jpg etc? If yes of course you can. Any type of files can be included into the JAR file.

It doesn't matter if the users are using windows, or MAC or Linux or Solaris as their OS as long as they have installed the proper JRE, they will be able to execute the JAR file.

Regards,
Leon If you need additional help, you can email to me at zaoliang@hotmail.com I don't guaranty that I will be able to solve your problems but I will try my best

 

[drkestrel]

If I just have a extremely simple program which I wish to run off a CD-ROM in Windows.

Is it reliable enough to:
1) Copy the whole JDK directory onto the CD ROM
2) Copy the Java Class file onto the CD ROM

and have a command file that:
1) cd into Java class file path
2) executing "\jdk1.3\jre\bin\java MyClassFile"

 

[Lupine]

OK, so if I download a JAR onto my high end win2000 PC
can I Double click on it and expect it to "RUN"
How does this work???????????????????????????????????

Thanx

Lupine
RobertCorrina@patownsend.com

 

[LeonTang]

drkestrel: I don't think you can copy the whole JDK onto a CD. I am sure while installing JDK, you will have to write some stuffs to the system files (.dlls) and since your CD isn't any platform you will have some trouble while running programs using the JRE in the CD.

Secondly, I think it is also against the license to copy the JDK onto CD? You will have to take a look at the whole agreement on

http://www.java.sun.com.

So I suggest that you should still get the user to download JRE. You can still include your .class files and a batch file to run the program.

Lupine: In order to successfully run your JAR file, you will have to "direct" the manifest file to the correct class file to be ran. For example if your main class is HelloWorld.class, you will have to add a manifest file to your JAR file.

Create a manifest.mf file with the contents:-
Manifest-Version: 1.0
Main-Class: HelloWorld
Created-By: 1.3.0rc2 (Sun Microsystems Inc.)

Then in the commandprompt, type:-
jar cfm HelloWorld.jar manifest.mf HelloWorld.class

Make sure your class files and manifest.mf file are in the same directory. From there on, just double click on the JAR file and the HelloWorld.class will be executed.

Regards,
Leon If you need additional help, you can email to me at zaoliang@hotmail.com I don't guaranty that I will be able to solve your problems but I will try my best

 

[Lupine]

AH HA!

Thank You! Thats what I was looking for!

Cheers!

Lupine
RobertCorrina@patownsend.com

 

[drkestrel]

I really would like to be able to invoke my very very simple "java application" without having to install JRE first on the target machine.

What about the JRE that come shipped with IE4 or IE5? Are they any good for JDK1.2 or JDK1.3 or is it solely JDK1.1.x??

If they are any good, could I invoke the program (i.e. instead of running c:\jdk1.3\bin\java MyProg, it is ************ MyProg)??

Many thanks.

 

[Lupine]

PER thge last message I can write the app in 1.1 and count on the JRE in IE ? DO I have to open it with IE or
does it do it automatically?


Lupine
RobertCorrina@patownsend.com

 

[drkestrel]

I don't know Lupine..., but really really don't recommend JDK1.1.x...
Firstly, you don't get swing?
Secondly, there are much more inefficiencies + bugs in JDK1.1.x. JDK1.3 is the quickest, I think.
Doubt if any browser would support it without plugin though?

 

[LeonTang]

Hi to the both,

I don't really know which version of JRE is shipped with IE (provided there is in the first place) but if there is a version 1.1, then of course you can write a program using JDK1.1 and run it. The only tradeoff compared to JDK1.2 and above is there are less packages included in JDK1.1

If there isn't any JRE along with IE, then I suggest that since it is a simple program, and there is no point downloading JRE over at the client side, what you can do is convert your .class to .exe:-

http://www.excelsior-usa.com/jet.html

Or to rewrite your program in other languages like Vb, C etc. These programs include or allow you to create an executable file.

Regards,
Leon If you need additional help, you can email to me at zaoliang@hotmail.com I don't guaranty that I will be able to solve your problems but I will try my best