Packaging & jar (source)

14. The various files from the application can be grouped together into an 'archive' file created with the jar tool:

javac chap2/*.java                # compilation
java -cp . chap2.Group            # run
jar cvf groups.jar chap2/*.class  # create archive
java -cp groups.jar chap2.Group   # run with archive

• 'c' creates a new archive (with all the classes *.class)
• 'f' specifies the archive name (here groups.jar)
• 'v' uses the verbose mode

15. It is possible to select a main executable:

jar cvfe groups.jar chap2.Group chap2/*.class
java -jar groups.jar

The last command is used to execute a jar file when clicked on it for instance.