How to use a .jar from Command Line without typing full path

Question

I downloaded example.jar and I can type java -jar example.jar from within the directory where it is located and it works.

The problem is that I need to be able to call it from elsewhere without typing the full path. Is it possible?

I tried adding it to $CLASSPATH like this: export CLASSPATH=$CLASSPATH:/Path/to/Directory:/Path/to/Directory/example.jar with no success.

Write a shell script, put that somewhere accessible from within the PATH element; use the full path to the Jar from within the script instead — MadProgrammer
– MadProgrammer, Commented Mar 26, 2018 at 21:44

Elliott Frisch · Accepted Answer · 2018-03-26 21:45:18Z

1

Yes. Option 1. Using the CLASSPATH you have set, however you would have to specify the fully qualified main-class from the jar

java com.mypackage.MyMain

As long as com.mypackage.MyMain is on the CLASSPATH and contains a valid main method, that will run it.

Option 2. Create a bash shell script to run it (note that this is really providing the full path to the java command)

#!/usr/bin/env bash export JARFILE="/Path/to/Directory/example.jar" java -jar $JARFILE

answered Mar 26, 2018 at 21:45

Elliott Frisch

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5 Comments

Francesco Pegoraro Over a year ago

Yes, I thought about creating another script for calling it, but I was getting mad about the CLASSPATH thing. I am not sure I understood your explanation. How should I know the name of the main class file?

Elliott Frisch Over a year ago

@FrancescoPegoraro Check the Main-Class in the manifest

Francesco Pegoraro Over a year ago

Ok, I now know the main: com.vftlite.main.Menu what now?

Elliott Frisch Over a year ago

@FrancescoPegoraro Put that jar file in your CLASSPATH. Then java com.vftlite.main.Menu

Francesco Pegoraro Over a year ago

I tried it yesterday and didn't work, now is working. Thanks

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