file not found exception when trying to create jar file

Question

I have the following Java file(apples.java):

public class apples
{
   public static void main(String[] args)
    {
       System.out.println("Apples here.");
    }
}

saved in the source folder of the MyProject directory.

I compile apples.java and save the apples.class file into the classes folder of the MyProject directory.

I then create manifest.txt with the following content:

Main-Class: apples

I then navigate into the MyProject/classes directory via cmd prompt(Windows XP) and type the following command:

jar -cvmf manifest.txt app1.jar apples.class

I get the following message in the command prompt:

java.io.FileNotFoundException: manifest.txt (The system cannot find the file specified)

           at java.io.FileInputStream.open(Native Method)

What is wrong and how do I fix it?

Answer 1

Put the .jar argument first

jar -cvmf app1.jar manifest.txt apples.class

Make sure both "apples.class" and "manifest.jar" are in the current directory.

I would also encourage you to:

1) Use packages (instead of the default package)

2) Capitalize your class names ("Apples.java" instead of "apples")

Here's a nice, short tutorial that might help:

http://www.mkyong.com/java/how-to-add-your-manifest-into-a-jar-file/

Answer 2

It is a common mistake people make. While creating the manifest.txt, make sure that you don't name it "manifest.txt", after you've already selected the file to be a txt. That makes it "manifest.txt.txt". Hope it helps.