How do I include external JARs in my own Project JAR

Question

I have a Java application and created a JAR file and deployed it.

The App uses external JARs such as the Log4J JAR. When creating my JAR file, how do I include all external dependent JARs into my archive?

In order to get my App working, I'm having to copy the Log4J JAR into the same directory as my own JAR which kinda defeats the purpose of the jar. Wouldn't it be more elegant to have 1 single JAR file to deploy?

Answer 1

If you use Eclipse, You can extract all included files into one runnable jar like this:

1. Right click on your project name from Package Explorer and select Export.
2. In Export screen, select Java -> Runnable JAR file and Next.
3. Fill in the Runnable JAR File Spec screen and Finish.

You can choose whether to package dependency jars as individual jar files or extract them into the generated JAR.

Answer 2

You could use something like One-JAR to package your Java application together with its dependency into a single executable Jar file (One-JAR uses a custom classloader to make JARs nesting possible).