Java - Build and run eclipse project from command line

Question

I have a java project written using eclipse ide and I want to run it through ssh on a different machine, but I have to do this using the command line and I don't know exactly how.

I am a beginner at both shell commands and java.

Could you please give me a useful link with answers regarding this question, or perhaps a set instructions of how to do this?

Answer 1

Maven or Ant are the best option but for an Eclipse-only solution
you can choose File -> Export and select Java -> Runnable JAR File
then transfer the JAR file to your other machine and run this from the command line:

java -jar YOUR.JAR

• FirstName LastName: can you do it without JAR - ing?
• Russ Hayward: You can but you would have to copy the contents of the bin directory and any libraries your program uses to your other machine and include them all on your classpath (see xappymah's answer).
• Alphaaa: Great answer, but my problem is that I want to run that jar on a machine that has an older JRE. To do this, under Eclipse preferences I set the compiler compliance level to 1.6 and I create the jar.. but this doesnt solve the problem. Any clue?
• Russ Hayward: @Alphaaa: Probably best to ask this as a separate question with more detail - I'm sure you'll get an answer.
• nonchip: how the hell is this supposed to be building an eclipse project from CLI -_-

Answer 2

You can run Java applications from the command line. The simplified syntax looks like this:

java -cp <classpath> <main class> <args>

where:

<classpath> - list of directories and/or JAR-files where needed classes reside separated by ";" for Windows or ":" for linux (default classpath is "." - the current directory);

<main class> - fully qualified name of the class containig main() method (for example, org.myself.HelloWorld)

<args> - various arguments for application if any.

So, if you find the directory where Eclipse stored compiled classes (usually it's bin) you may use the command, like

java -cp . my.package.MyClass

Or, if you use some libraries and classes in other directories, it could be:

java -cp some-cool-lib.jar:another-lib.jar:/some/directory/with/classes my.package.MyClass

• Marek Lisý: "very easy" looks different
• Northnroro: With other libraries and classes, the command should use ; (semicolon), not : (colon). So, it should be java -cp some-cool-lib.jar;another-lib.jar;/some/directory/with/classes my.package.MyClass; otherwise, it will say cannot find the main class.
• xappymah: Semicolon is used on Windows as it was mentioned in my answer. On Linux and MacOS you have to use colon.

Answer 3

To build and run a Java project, Its good to use an ant or maven tool. you can find many tutorials on google for the same.

a good tutorial on ant is here http://www.intranetjournal.com/java-ant/

• Simon: isn't there a way of doing this without any additional tools? doesn't eclipse provide some commands for doing this?

Answer 4

This is what I did and it worked for me. Hope it could help. enter image description here