Looking for free Java application install tool

Thread view:

Christian Schlichtherle - 15 Jun 2005 17:32 GMT

Hi everyone,

I am looking for a free Java application install tool. I am already happily
using Java Web Start, but certain distribution channels require me to
provide a single, downloadable, executable installer.

Apart from my app, the installer should also install a (private) JRE.

My application uses internationalization, so an installer supporting at
least English and German would be a nice add-on.

It would also be nice if not only Windows would be supported, but Solaris,
Linux and/or Mac OS X as well.

I know there are several commercial tools for the job, but the prices they
want to charge are simply beyond belief!

Does anybody know something suitable?

With best regards,
Christian

Reply to this Message

Bill Tschumy - 15 Jun 2005 19:08 GMT

> Hi everyone,
>
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> With best regards,
> Christian

I use Inno Setup for the installer (Windows only) and JSmooth to generate a
.exe wrapper. I have been very happy with them.

Inno Setup: < http://www.jrsoftware.org/isinfo.php>
JSmooth: <http://jsmooth.sourceforge.net/>

Signature

Bill Tschumy
Otherwise -- Austin, TX
http://www.otherwise.com

Reply to this Message

Christian Schlichtherle - 15 Jun 2005 20:35 GMT

Hi,

thanks for the hint. Did you mean you combine the tools to build one
executable installer or do you use one or the other? They seem to be similar
in features.

Regards,
Christian

Reply to this Message

Bill Tschumy - 15 Jun 2005 22:50 GMT

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Regards,
> Christian

No, they are different in features. JSmooth will create a .exe that will
check for an appropriate JVM, set up the classpath, and create teh VM for
running the app.

Inno will take the .exe and any other application files and package them into
an installer for Windows.

Signature

Bill Tschumy
Otherwise -- Austin, TX
http://www.otherwise.com

Reply to this Message

Christian Schlichtherle - 15 Jun 2005 23:13 GMT

Thanks, great!

Reply to this Message

Jussi Jumppanen - 23 Jun 2005 14:53 GMT

> JSmooth will create a .exe

I would also give my vote to JSmooth.

> Inno will take the .exe and any other application files and
> package them into an installer for Windows.

And using the Inno scripting features it is also possible to
have the installer test for the presense of the JRE and if
this test finds nothing, have the installer spin of the Sun
JRE installer.

With these two tools and a simple bit of Inno scripting it is
quite easy to create an almost seamless installation of a Java
application for the Windows platform.

Jussi Jumppanen
Author of: Zeus for Windows Editor (New version 3.94 out now)
"The C/C++, Cobol, Java, HTML, Python, PHP, Perl folding editor"
Home Page: http://www.zeusedit.com

Reply to this Message

Bill Tschumy - 23 Jun 2005 16:19 GMT

>> JSmooth will create a .exe
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> quite easy to create an almost seamless installation of a Java
> application for the Windows platform.

I haven't used this capability. I currently rely on JSmooth to detect the
JRE. Do you have an example of the Inno script necessary to detect the JRE
and fire off the Sun installer?

> Jussi Jumppanen
> Author of: Zeus for Windows Editor (New version 3.94 out now)
> "The C/C++, Cobol, Java, HTML, Python, PHP, Perl folding editor"
> Home Page: http://www.zeusedit.com

Signature

Bill Tschumy
Otherwise -- Austin, TX
http://www.otherwise.com

Reply to this Message

Looking for free Java application install tool

Free Magazines