jar file with source code only

Question

Suggest I have a HelloWorld.jar file, this file contains only HelloWorld.java , which is the source code of the application.

Will it be possible to run this jar file and execute the application, even though I don't have HelloWorld.class?

Answer 1

Directly? No. java accepts only classfiles. To use source it must be compiled with javac . Nothing keeps you or a utility from compiling the source files to class files and using those , however.

Answer 2

Yes, it can be done: See the javax.tools api . It is not easy, but it can be done....

You will likely be better off with a script that unjars the file, compiles it, and runs it.