Run class in Jar file

Assuming you are in the directory where myJar.jar file is and that myClass has a public static void main() method on it:

You use the following command line:

java -cp ./myJar.jar myClass

Where:

1. myJar.jar is in the current path, note that . isn't in the current path on most systems. A fully qualified path is preferred here as well.

2. myClass is a fully qualified package path to the class, the example assumes that myClass is in the default package which is bad practice, if it is in a nested package it would be com.mycompany.mycode.myClass.

You want:

java -cp myJar.jar myClass

The Documentation gives the following example:

C:> java -classpath C:\java\MyClasses\myclasses.jar utility.myapp.Cool

Use java -cp myjar.jar com.mypackage.myClass.

1. If the class is not in a package then simply java -cp myjar.jar myClass.

2. If you are not within the directory where myJar.jar is located, then you can do:

   1. On Unix or Linux platforms:

      java -cp /location_of_jar/myjar.jar com.mypackage.myClass

   2. On Windows:

      java -cp c:\location_of_jar\myjar.jar com.mypackage.myClass

There are two types of JAR files available in Java:

1. Runnable/Executable jar file which contains manifest file. To run a Runnable jar you can use java -jar fileName.jar or java -jar -classpath abc.jar fileName.jar

2. Simple jar file that does not contain a manifest file so you simply run your main class by giving its path java -cp ./fileName.jar MainClass