Looking for a InstallAnywhere replacement

[Wilbert Reyes]

Been looking for a better(and free) replacement for InstallAnywhere for an application for some time now, I'm looking at Izpack and launch4j but I can't seem to push through using these due to some special requirement(or quirks) to the application itself.

The structure of the current application as installed are as follows:
Appfolder
classes folder --- the app's actual class files
lib folder ---third-party libraries
misc. files folder ---other files required by the application
the exe/bin file ---the app's launcher (main class in the classes folder)
another bin/exe file

It has to be cross-platform (Linux/Windows) and customizable JVM options at least during installation. Up to this point, I'm still betting on something, somewhere there's a less painful way to actually do this. On the other hand, some tips will help should I do the inevitable.

Cheers

[Gerbrand van Dieijen]

I've used Nullsoft-Installer (NSIS) a while ago and found it quite easy to use as well as flexible: http://nsis.sourceforge.net/Main_Page
The NSIS can create windows installation files only, however, there are numerous configuration examples to create installers for java application as well (that can optionally install a JRE).
For users of other operations, you could just package your application as zip or .tar.gz and include a .sh file to start the file. Depends on the need of those users - most Linux users rather hav the flexibility of a .tar.gz that you can just unpack then an installer file that installs in either the home directory or /opt.

Alternatively you could also use java webstart. Java webstart will also give you the advantage your application can update itself automatically.

[sourabh girdhar]

I have used Java Web start in our app. Trust me it works in great way. It has lot of features like
Auto update
Update in background
Desktop Icon
Access to local resources etc.