Originally posted by Ernest Friedman-Hill:
You really, really don't want to do that. Macs can't run *.exe files. Linux, Solaris, HP/UX, AIX... lots of machines can't run *.exe files -- but they can run Java programs if that Java program is packaged as a JAR file -- a Java ARchive containing just the class files. Turning Java code into an *.exe negates one of Java's advantages. You shut out some of your audience needlessly by doing this.
You are right. I am planning on using several different platforms also (IBM iSeries, PocketPC), and for these, .Class files are fine.
But for my friends that have Windows, I want to distribute the applications to them, and web delivery via an applet might not be the best way. Maybe I haven't learned enough yet, but it seems that, if you associate .Class files to the appropriate Java.exe application, you get a command window, much like a .bat file. I was going for a more 'professional' look -- perhaps a window that pops up, without the command window. Is there a way to do this, that I just haven't learned yet? I want to stick to Java, and possibly not rely on third-party products (which would add yet another layer where things could go wrong).