Where is the right way that should you put your resources (i.e Images and Sound files) when trying to create a JAR file?

Question

I am using Intellij IDEA and whenever I build a JAR artifact it places itself on the productions folder. When I try to run the JAR file some custom defined functions (ie setting Icons on Components and adding sounds) are missing, while running it on the Intellij's IDEA is functioning correctly. I know that it involves using getResourceAsStream method but is there some sort of right way to place external resources?

Additional questions I may add, where is the correct destination for placing the META-INF folder? Should I make a resource folder for all my external files?

Answer 1

This is for Eclipse users, I believe the same thing can be accomplished in other IDE's relatively easily.

• Create a resources folder
• Put your non-code files in it
• Use as "Source Folder"

After creating the JAR, the contents of "resources" will be packed in the JAR.