tools.jar dependency

Question

Consider a Java program, launched from a main method, that needs something from tools.jar. In this case, some utility code for connecting to JMX services. Do we have any choice but to wrap it in a shell script that uses -cp to manage the class path? We'd much rather use a MANIFEST.MF classpath.

Answer 1

from http://java.sun.com/developer/Books/javaprogramming/JAR/basics/manifest.html

the URLs in the Class-Path header are given relative to the URL of the JAR file of the applet or application.

I do not believe you have a choice about using a shell wrapper to get the tools.jar on your classpath. unless you write some custom classloader internally to allow you to find external jars.

Answer 2

If incorporating classes from the dependency jar is an option, I'd go with creation of a "Runnable JAR file". Basically you extract the classes from it and put them with your own classes in the JAR. That eliminates the need for a wrapping script.

To do that in Eclipse, select your project, File -> Export -> Java -> Runnable JAR file ; that option will require that you have executed the main class at least once to know what profile to run when you actually run produced JAR.