Invoking javac ...

[Tom Diamond]

Hello,
Is there a way to invoke the java compiler internally from a program? What I want to do is create java code dynamically and give the user some class files.
OK, a nice way would be to find the path to JAVA_HOME and invoke the compiler externally.
On the other hand I guess I maybe have to distribute a compiler with my app (for the users who have only JRE installed). Can I distribute SUN's javac? If yes what files will I have to include apart from the compiler file (assuming different versions for different platforms)?
Tnx,
Tom.

[Joe Gilvary]

It is possible. Look at the Apache Jakarta Ant build tool.
http://jakarta.apache.org/ant/index.html
It is an example of a program that does just that.
As for bundling javac, you should check with Sun to be
sure that you are on the right side of the law.
HTH,
Joe

[Andrew Sweeney]

Distributing javac is usually a pretty big no-no, from what I understand... How about this solution?
Running the program from a server with the JDK installed, write the Java file on the fly with a text file. Then, using Runtime.exec(), call the compiler to compile the file on the server. Once compiled, you simply need to link the class files to a web page, and the users could d'load them from there. Does this make any sense?
-Andrew