Deploying Java Applications

That depends on who the users are. Are they your co-workers, fellow club
members, or total strangers? Do they know how to mess with computers, or do
they not know a directory path from the garden path?

First of all, you don't have to install the JDK to run a Java program. You
only need to install the corresponding JRE (Java Runtime Environment), which
is a smaller package. Second, to run a Java program you can create (I'm
assuming your target platform is Windows here) either a batch file or a
Windows shortcut that can be double-clicked to run. But to do this you must
know in what directory the JRE was installed, which leads to the next
point...

If you are going to distribute your program to people you know, then you can
send them the bits and pieces (JRE, your classes, supporting files, etc.)
with rough instructions for installing them, then talk to them to make sure
it gets done correctly. But if you plan to send it to anybody in the world,
then you need to make a professional-looking installation package. There's
software to help you produce such a thing, but it comes at a cost. See
www.installshield.com.

PC2

Gerry <gerry@visualimpact.net> wrote in message
news:3a1bbccb$1@news.devx.com...
>
> Ok now I've been learning java and all is well but one (minor..) problem
has
> risen.
>
> How do I distribute an executable application to users?
> All is fine and dandy when I have the compiler to run my projects but how
> does "Joe average user" get to run my apps on his machine without having
> to install the JDK on his or her machine and having to type in "java
MyApp"
> at a DOS prompt??
>
> Thanks in advance for any help!