Launch4j 3.0.0-pre2 review

Launch4j project is a cross-platform tool for wrapping Java applications distributed as jars in lightweight Windows native executable

License: GPL (GNU General Public License) File size: 0K Developer: Grzegorz Kowal

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Launch4j project is a cross-platform tool for wrapping Java applications distributed as jars in lightweight Windows native executables.

The executable can be configured to search for a certain JRE version or use a bundled one, and it's possible to set runtime options, like the initial/max heap size.

The wrapper also provides better user experience through an application icon, a native pre-JRE splash screen, a custom process name, and a Java download page in case the appropriate JRE cannot be found.

Here are some key features of "Launch4j":
Launch4j wraps jars in Windows native executables and allows to run them like a regular Windows program. It's possible to wrap applications on Linux!
Doesn't extract the jar from the executable.
Custom application icon with multiple resolutions and color depths.
Native pre-JRE splash screen in BMP format shown until the Java application starts.
Process name as the executable filename to easily identify your application.
Works with a bundled JRE or searches for newest JRE / SDK in given range.
Opens Java download page if an appropriate Java version cannot be found.
Supports GUI and console apps.
Passes command line arguments, also supports constant arguments.
Allows to set the initial/max heap size.
JVM options: set system properties, tweak the garbage collection...
Option to change current directory to the executable location.
Custom version information shown by Windows Explorer.
GUI and command line interface.
Build integration through an Ant task.
Lightweight: 21 KB!
It's free and may be used for commercial purposes.
Includes a sample application and Ant script that automates the build process from Java sources to native executable.
The wrapped program works on all Windows platforms (98/Me/NT/2K/Xp), launch4j works on NT/2K/Xp, Linux (developed and tested on FC2)

What's New in 2.1.5 Stable Release:
Changed the Java download site to http://java.com/download.
Now it's possible to use absolute and relative paths to specify the embedded JRE.

What's New in This Release:
Enhanced GUI.
Redesigned error reporting.
Added custom error messages.
Added support website feature.
Added PWD and OLDPWD special variables and access to the registry.
Runtime ini file extension changed to .l4j.ini, added comments (#).
FR #1427811 Initial process priority.
FR #1547339 Added VarFileInfo structure to Version Info (Stephan Laertz).
FR #1584295 Updated documentation for --l4j-debug.
Fixed and config conversion bug (found by Dafe Simonek).
Fixed the Ant task exception reporting bug, added tmpdir and bindir attributes.
Fixed bug #1563415 Problem with launching application when ini file exists (found by mojomax).
Fixed bug #1527619 Console header wildcard expansion (found by erikjv).
Fixed bug #1544167 NPE when dontwrap and only classpath given (found by Hendrik Schreiber).
Fixed bug #1584264 Dropdown boxes get mixed up (found by Larsen).