Self Extract format

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zandalf

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Hello Mac expert,
I would like to find out what is the self extract format in Mac and what software i can use to pack them. I am developing a java program which enable all platform, therefore would like to find out a self extract format. My program will be in .jar format. Please help, a million thanks. :D :D
 
rehi,
Can i use .tar.gz format? is it self extracting? if yes, what software can i compile my software into a .tar.gz format? please advice. thanks you
 
Sorry, just would like to find out is it true that without stuffit, Mac user can also unpack tar.gz files? Please educate me. Thank you. :p :p
 
OSX includes the Unix tar utility, and I think gzip as well. So, at a minimum, OS X users should be able to extract a .tar.gz file from the command line.

Also, OS X 10.3 has integrated support for "archives" (.zip files) in Finder.
 
I just came accross .sitx and .dmg format for OS X, wonder are they self extracting format? please advice. thanks
 
Sitx is a recent revision of the Stuffit format. It is not self-extracting by itself, although a free extractor program is available from aladdinsys.com.

.dmg is the Disk Image format, and mounts as a new volume when double-clicked, via Apple's Disk Utility or Disk Copy programs (depending on which version of OSX you're using). Hence, it's sorta self-extracting, but because it mounts as a drive icon, you have to copy the files to your hard drive as a seperate step.
 
I am back for more question.Thanks brianleahy.
But do you know is there any self-extracting and installing format? which i can put icon on mac desktop? something like .exe in windows and .rpm in linux?
 
Use the install maker program that's included with the Mac OS X developer tools to make an installer package from your Java project. I believe you'll have to use "JarBundler" then "PackageMaker." Then, wrap it all up in a compressed .DMG (Disk Image) format using Disk Utility.

I don't think there is one, single format that will allow you to compress a file to get ready to distribute it as well as install it. The above procedure should work, though.
 
Stuffit Deluxe can create an executable self-extracting archive file - although it isn't free. It's a good utility though.
 
Hee.. once again thanks for your replies
so what is stuffit self-extractable format? .sitx? .jar? heee... very interested to know, wonder anyone as a copy of staffit could able to tell me the format it uses and can i make a desktop icon using stuffit self-extraction?
Another question just came to my mind, can mac os x run excutable .jar files?
 
The actual compression logic used in Stuffit's self-extracting archives is either the .sit or .sitx format (you choose which one when you create the archive). The files which are created are applications - that is, .pkg files which can be launched from Finder.

OS X can indeed run .jar files, though you can make them friendlier and 'prettier' if you "package" them using Apple's developer tools.
 
Here's some of what Stuffit Deluxe can do.

Self extracting files are BinHex, MacBinary for OS X, and exe and sea for Windows and Classic respectively.

There is also the Tar and GZip.
 

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andychrist: The only "self-extracting" files you have there are the .sea file and the .exe file, if the .exe file is a compressed archive.

Self-extracting files are files that can be uncompressed without the use of a program. .SEA files can be uncompressed even on systems that do not have Stuffit or Stuffit Expander installed. They include the "code" to uncompress themselves, and therefore, do not need a program to uncompress them for you. They work just like regular Stuffit files, just without the need to have Stuffit installed.

BinHex and MacBinary files still need a "helper" application to uncompress them.

Are you looking for a self-extracting file, or just a compressed file?
 
Thank you very much everyon for the good informaiton provided.

ElDiabloConCaca: i am looking for a format which mac can self-extract my java program and put a desktop icon on the machine. So i am not too sure which one can meet my requirement. Can you give me some small advices? thanks you.

Btw, how can i put a mac icon and link to my excutable jar file of my program (my main class)?

Once again, thank you guys. ::love::
 
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