how to use izpack to make my jar application to installer?

Question

Hi, I download and install izpack to create installer.But There is no shortcut icon to run it.Can any one tell me how to run izpack and how to create installer through izpack.(I have the jar file).

Answer 1

IzPack uses the command prompt to create installer and uninstaller for any java program. To create an installer open the command prompt and go to the IzPack installed path -> bin. Then execute the command "compile install.xml" here you should give the full path address of your xml file. Then it automatically generate the exe file with the same xml file name.

Answer 2

The answer lies in properly configuring the shortcutSpec.xml in project-install.xml. Put the following lines in project-install.xml.

<resources>
   <res id="shortcutSpec.xml" src="c:\locationOf\shortcutSpec.xml" />
</resources>
<native type="izpack" name="c:\locationOf\ShellLink.dll"/>

now add the panel in to the panel stack.

<panels> 
 ...
 <panel classname="ShortcutPanel"/>
 ...
</panels>

The shortcutSpec.xml shall contain the details of shortcut.

<shortcuts>
 <programGroup defaultName="groupName" location="startMenu"/>
    <shortcut name="shortCutName" 
           target="c:\directory\file.jar"  
           commandLine=""  
           workingDirectory="c:\directory"  
           description="This will handle TimeCard Application"  
           iconFile="c:\directory\yourIconFile.ico"  
           iconIndex="0"       
           type="Application"  
           encoding="UTF-8"  
           programGroup="yes"  
           desktop="yes"  
           applications="no"  
           startMenu="no"  
           startup="no">  
     </shortcut>
</shortcuts>

If you wish to use windows provided icons, change the following attributes

iconFile=C:\WINDOWS\system32\shell32.dll
iconIndex=x

// x can be any icon index number of your choice