Create JAR "jar -c" Command Syntax

Q

What are syntax rules of the "jar -c" command for creating a JAR file? I am confused on how to specify different options, like v and f.

✍: FYIcenter.com

A

The "jar -c" command allows you to create a new JAR file. It has the follow syntax:

jar -c[vfmMe0] [jar-file] [manifest-file] [entry-point] list

"v" option flag returns verbose information on standard output for each entry added to the new JAR. If "v" is not specified, nothing shows up on the standard output.

"f" option flag specifies the new JAR file. If "f" is specified, "jar-file" must be provided. If "f" is not specified, the new JAR file is written to the standard output.

"m" option flag specifies the manifest file to be used for the new JAR. If "m" is specified, "manifest-file" must be provided. "M" option flag specifies that no manifest file for the new JAR. If neither "m" nor "M" is specified, a default manifest file will be added to the JAR file.

"e" option flag specifies that the given main class to be added in the manifest to make the new JAR executable. If "e" is specified, "entry-point" must be provided.

"0" option flag specifies that new entries to be added with no compression.

"list" must be provided to specify a list of files to be added to the new JAR. If an entry in the "list" is a folder, all files in that folder will be added. If "-C dir entry" appears in the list, the "jar" command will change to the given directory (folder) first before process the entry.

Here are some example of valid "jar -c" commands

   jar -cf my.jar Hello.class
      Create JAR with one class in the current folder

   jar -c Hello.class > my.jar
      Write the new JAR file to standard output

   jar -cf my.jar -C classes . -C bin xyz.class
      Create JAR with all files in the "classes" folder 
      and one class from another folder.
   
   jar -cfm my.jar my.mf Hello.class
      Create JAR with one class and my own manifest file
      
   jar -cfe my.jar Hello Hello.class
      Create JAR with one class and make it executable

Back to FAQ for JDK JAR (Java ARchive) Tool.

2016-05-22, 2757🔥, 0💬