how to lauch an executable jar in windows

[john mattucci]

how would i lauch an executable jar in windows
i think i have done everything right, but when i
click on it; ie the jar file I get prompted
by windows on what type to use to open this file.
Did i forget to do something
Ps i have written a manifest stating my main class

[Cindy Glass]

You need to tell windows how to use this extension.
If I go to Explorer and go to
tools\folder options\file types\
I have an entry for "Executable Jar Files". If I edit that entry it says that this is "application/java" and that it opens with java. If I edit the actions it says:
C:\Program Files\JavaSoft\JRE\1.4\bin\javaw.exe -jar
I am using WinNT today.
[This message has been edited by Cindy Glass (edited October 11, 2001).]

[john mattucci]

I would like to install the app on other
peoples machines. So how would they lauch the
executable jar if they didnt have the JRE would it still
work with the JVM only.

[Cindy Glass]

Bundle the JRE with your app, and have them start it with a .bat file. Then you can set the classpath on the way in, and it allows you to bring in a properties file as a parameter. No messing with other peoples file type attributes.

[john mattucci]

shouldnt an executable jar run without
having to include a JRE. By double clicking on it
should it not run

[Cindy Glass]

It will run IF you have java installed on the computer, IF the path and classpath have been properly set, and IF the OS knows how to handle the jar extension. If not, then it won't run.
Many PC's today come with pre-installed software, and java is OFTEN included in that set-up. But you are at the vendors mercy as to whether or not the .jar file type was configured, and the setting correct.