Windows Trick: Executable Class Files
This is in "new to java" for a reason.
I dont want to be flamed for posting something obvious, lol.
Its just a simple trick to fire up programs by double
clicking a class file. This is for minor cases that dont warrant an
executable JAR.
I was never able to get this working before but i stumbled on this
tech tip that made it all possible:
http://blogs.msdn.com/ben/archive/2007/03/09/path-manipulation-in-a-batch-file.aspx
HOW TO:
Create a new text file with the following contents:
@title %~n1
cd "%~dp1"
java -cp . %~n1
Alternately, if you dont want to see the command window at all (like
with javaw) use this text INSTEAD:
start "%~n1" /D"%~dp1" javaw -cp . %~n1
Save this file as "javalauncher.bat" (it has to have a .bat extension).
Save it into a reliable folder. The java folder is a good place
for this. On my computer that is: C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0
FINALLY:
(1) Open Windows Explorer (or "My Computer")
(2) Go to Tools -> Folder Options -> File Types
(3) Find the CLASS extension (or create it by hitting the "New" button)
(4) Select it and hit "Advanced"
(5) Select "open" action and hit "Edit" or create a new action
Action: open
Application Used To Perform Action: C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0\javalauncher.bat "%1"
Explanation:
The action variable %1 returns a full path. Passing this to java
with "java %1" doesnt work so I gave up on this a long time ago.
Unfortunately the batch file file path manipulation trickdoesnt work
in the action window "java %~f1" so a batch file is necessary.
Also anyone trying to condense these lines:
cd "%~dp1" java -cp . %~n1 into this:
java -cp "%~dp1" %~n1 ... that willNOT work
if you are in a folder with spaces in the path.
For some reason java doesnt recognize quoted
paths that end in a path separator:
java -cp "C:\a space\" Program< fails
Why not a simple exe? With this method you can pop into the java
launcher bat file and make little tweaks if you ever have to.
Plus a SINGLE line of text is better then opening up MSVC++
creating an entire project, compiling etc etc.
Why not a JAR? This is just for the simple programs beginners would
write (an intermediate step between the command line and an IDE!).
Why else is this a good idea? Beginners learn the basics of BAT files
and what they can do. This technique is extensible to a Compile and
Jar Me Up! action.
Also, you can create actions involving Java programs called from a
bat for more complicated things. For example: right click on a .JAVA file
and it will write the manifest file and jar up every java file in the folder.
Also, why not. It takes 2 minutes?
EDIT: quotes missing in the start command fixed
