JExpress Major Features
One click for a new release
With one click, JExpress:
* eliminates unused class files, if you're distributing a java app
* organizes your files for distribution,
* builds your installers, updater, and uninstaller,
* creates your download web pages, and
* uploads everything to your website
Your customers are ready to download the latest version with just a click of the button. And, all you had to do was click the Build button in JExpress. Read more
Native installers
Your application starts like any other native program on Windows (2000, XP, Vista), Mac OS X, Linux (Intel), and Solaris (Sparc). . On Windows you get a double-clickable EXE. On OS X it's an app bundle. Customers get what they expect. What could be easier or more flexible? Read more
Cross platform installer
Create one installer that runs anywhere. In addition to the native installers for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Solaris, you also get a double-clickable jar installer that works anywhere Java works. JExpress installers can install non-Java programs just as easily as Java apps.
Installs exact JRE
Many Java programs peform best with a particular version of the JRE. JExpress installs that the exact version you want runnning with your app if it's not already on the user's sytem. You can also have a private copy of the JRE installed so other programs don't change your program's environment and without disturbing any other version of the JVM already installed. You can even tell the installer to put the JVM in a particular directory. Read more
Autoupdater
Autoupdate your customers. You get a continuing revenue stream after the sale. Your software is always up-to-date so you have fewer problems, and so do your customers. Read more
Unattend builds
Build your project from the command line. You can leave your system creating your multiplatform installer and updater while you work on other tasks ___ or go home for the night. JExpress can even upload your installer to your web site.
Customizable
If you need something really special, you can customize your installers, updaters and uninstallers. Customize everything with Java. Use Java to build custom wizard panels which become fully integrated into your JExpress installer. Anything you can do in Java, you can add to your installation. Prompt for user input. Configure the target system. Run other programs. You have complete control, and without using a specialized script language. Read more
Pack 200 support
If you use Java 1.5 or later and require that your customers do the same, then JExpress can reduce your distribution files by compressing all of the JAR files using Pack 200. When your customer installs or updates your application, the JAR files are automatically expanded.
Install from the web
Your customers can install your application with the click of a button. If your customer is running a modern browser that's configured to download and execute binary files, then your customers simply click on the URL with a native installer and the browser downloads and launches it. Read more
Integrates with ant
Your installer projects can easily be run from ant or other similar project managers. See an example of how to configure an ant project.
Uninstaller
JExpress automatically includes an uninstaller for your product, fully customizable. If your customer installs your product under Windows, then the uninstaller integrates into the Add/Remove icon on the Control Panel. You can customize the uninstaller with Java, too.
User input
Prompt users for information during the installation. Use their responses to alter the way the installer works or configure your application. No need to learn a specialized script language. Just use Java.
Variables
JExpress allows you to pass command line arguments to your applications. You can easily use variables to represent the installation directory or the Java home directory which are automatically adapted to the user's environment during installation. Read more
Translations
Your installers, autoupdaters, and uninstallers are ready for the international market. Currently, JExpress includes support for English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese, Simplied Chinese, and Traditional Chinese. Read more
Silent installs
Your customers can install your product silently, if they'd like. This allows network administrators can make sure their users install the software the way the administrator knows is best for their environment.
Uploads to your web site
If you have a standard ftp server, then JExpress can automatically upload your installer and updater to your web site, creating the directories and subdirectories as it goes. It can even backup the previous version allowing you to quickly swap directory names between your distribution version and the backup version to drop back to the former release. Its persistence in delivering your files to your site safely automates a tiresome, but critical task. Read more
Download pages generated
It already has your logo, installation instructions for each platform, and more. Your users just click on the installer they need. You can also easily integrate your own web site customization with the generated download pages and files.
Native integration
Your installers automatically add Windows menus and desktop icons, creates Mac OS X app bundles and desktop icons, and unix scripts. You also can access the Windows registry and setup a Windows services. Read more
Custom look
You decide if you want a minimilist look or you prefer to display your logo and include icons in all the installer's buttons. Also, your installers can use any SkinLF compliant look and feel. Only themes implementing both GTK and KDE are supported.
Multiple install types
You can create multiple install types, also known as setup types, if you'd like with JExpress. This lets you organize your system so your customers can decide which components they'd like to install. Read more
One installer, multiple products
JExpress lets you quickly create a single installer for multiple products or components. The user can install one or multiple components/packages at a time. And, each component has its own uninstaller.Read more
Protect your update revenue
You can restrict the customers that receive your updates. That way you can disable a user's access when their contract expires until they renew. Read more
Custom JRE bundles
You decide which JRE is acceptable for your program. If JExpress finds a matching JRE then it can use that one. Or you can create a JRE bundle to ship with your installer to insure that the user has the exact version that works best with your app. Read more
Billboards
Your installers can display rotating marquees, during the installation process. You can create as many billboards as you'd like and decide how quickly they rotate.For more details about how easy it is to configure billboards, see the manual'sFAQ.
Password protect your distribution files
JExpress can password protect your distribution files so only customers with the valid password can install your product.
License agreement
If you include a license agreement, JExpress makes sure that customers agree to it before they can install your product. You also have the option of including a READ ME file. Read more
Automatically configures classpath
JExpress automatically sets the user's classpath during installation. You can let JExpress determine the classpath automatically by examing your distribution files or set it manually. No need to hassle with changing the user's environment. JExpress handles the classpath for you.
Eliminates unused classes
Click a button and JExpress scans your system, picks out all the necessary classes, and bundles them up for distribution. It's almost like magic. Preparing a new version for distribution takes minutes, instead of hours, with JExpress and your system stays compact for a fast download and installation.Read more
Creates JAR files
After JExpress creates the directory tree for you, it can JAR all your distribution files into a compact file with a complete manifest. You can create a project that eliminates all unused classes and then builds your JAR file. Your installer project can then include that JAR file in your file list. Use ant or a similar project management program to run multiple projects.
Easy and professional
Creating an installer takes minutes with the simple JExpress wizard. You simply fill out some basic information about your Java app, click the Build button, and JExpress builds your cross platform installers. While you're building your installers and autoupdaters detailed help is only a key click away. A comprehensive and tightly integrated manual is available.Read more
Swing
Generates cross platform installers using Swing: This really helps deliver on the promise of "Write once. Run anywhere." Installers built with JExpress can automatically give your customers the native look and feel they already know.
Multiple directory trees
Stop wasting time creating the complex directory tree required by most Java applications and applets ___ JExpress manages it for you. Only the exact classes you're using from each Java package are included in your distribution. Your files are automatically stored in the correct directory or subdirectory. Read more
Compresses files
JExpress compresses your class and non-class files into a compact file with manifest. This insure a small foot print for your installation files and the manifest increases reliability during extraction.
6 Months free support
You probably won't need any support to use JExpress, but if you do, we're ready to help. Any questions that you have are answered by engineers, not lollipop people. If you can't figure out how to do something, regardless if it's an unusual request or seems like something simple, see if our engineers might have a suggestion. You'll always get an answer within a business day and frequently within a few hours. Learn more about the Support Programs for JExpress.
Details of Features
One click for a new release With one click, JExpress:
* eliminates unused class files, if you're distributing a java app
* organizes your files for distribution,
* builds your installers, updater, and uninstaller,
* creates your download web pages, and
* uploads everything to your website
Your customers are ready to download the latest version with just a click of the button. And, all you had to do was click the Build button in JExpress.
With the click of a button you saved the hassle of finding all the classes the new version uses The Updater gives you more money after the sale. It provides controlled automatic updates of your program on your customers' systems.
Native installers: Your application starts like any other native program on Windows (2000, XP, Vista), Mac OS X, Linux (Intel), and Solaris (Sparc). On Windows you get a double-clickable EXE. On OS X it's an app bundle. Customers get what they expect. What could be easier or more flexible?
The native installer usually can be configured to include the JVM so a target computer does not have to include Java for your installer to operate properly. Or, you can elect for the native installer to simply locate a JVM that matches your product's needs and use that to install and operate your application.
If you also purchase the Custom Native JExpress license, then you can also port 2 small programs to other platforms to create native installers for those targets. For HP-UX and IBM's AIX, the port generally involves simply adapting the make for your target environment.
Cross platform installers: Create one installer that runs anywhere. In addition to the native installers for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Solaris, you also get a double-clickable jar installer that works anywhere Java works. JExpress installers can install non-Java programs just as easily as Java apps.
Installs the exact JVM you want: Many Java programs peform best with a particular version of the JRE. JExpress installs that the exact version you want runnning with your app if it's not already on the user's sytem. You can also have a private copy of the JRE installed so other programs don't change your program's environment and without disturbing any other version of the JVM already installed. You can even tell the installer to put the JVM in a particular directory.
JExpress can distribute the exact JVM you used to develop and test.
With JExpress you have complete control over which JVM version is bundled with your app and which versions of the JVM are acceptable to run with your product.
Native Mac installers do
not install the JVM because Apple's license does not permit 3rd parties to
distribute the JVM. If you do have a license that supports distribution,
please contact tech support at
for instructions about how you can handle
inclusion of the JVM with the installer.
Developers can adapt the JExpress Custom Native source code to create native, executable installers for other platforms if JExpress doesn't support a target environment you need.
Autoupdates your customers: You get a continuing revenue stream after the sale. Your software is always up-to-date so you have fewer problems, and so do your customers.
You choose whether your application automatically updates every time it starts up, or on demand. The Updater connects to your site and downloads only the files that have changed. When there's nothing to update it's so fast that customers rarely notice.
If an update doesn't complete for any reason, your customers can continue to use your application without worry. JExpress doesn't update any live files until it has successfully downloaded all the changes. This means a partial update won't leave your application in an unusable state.
You create your updater by just clicking a radio button in a dialog box. And if you need something really special, you can customize your updater with Java.
You can learn more about autoupdates by reading how autoupdates work or following the step-by-step example.
Unattended builds: Build your project from the command line. You can leave your system creating your multiplatform installer and updater while you work on other tasks ___ or go home for the night. JExpress can even upload your installer to your web site.
Customization: If you need something really special, you can customize your installers, updaters and uninstallers.
Use Java to build custom wizard panels which become fully integrated into your JExpress installer. Anything you can do in Java, you can add to your installation. Prompt for user input. Configure the target system. Run other programs. You have complete control, and without using a specialized script language.
JExpress includes a customization API that has over 200 methods. Plus, you can do anything you can do from Java, which gives you almost infinite flexibility. There are also more than a dozen samples to show you how to you customize your installers and updaters.
You can learn more about how customize your installers and updaters or follow a step-by-step example.
Pack 200: If you use Java 1.5 or later and require that your customers do the same, then JExpress can reduce your distribution files by compressing all of the JAR files using Pack 200. When your customer installs or updates your application, the JAR files are automatically expanded.
Install from the web: Your customers can install your application with the click of a button. If your customer is running a modern browser that's configured to download and execute binary files, then your customers simply click on the URL with a native installer and the browser downloads and launches it.
The JVM can be bundled so if the user's machine doesn't have the correct environment, JExpress installs the JRE and then your program.
Ant integration: Your installer projects can easily be run from ant or other similar project managers. See an example of how to configure an ant project.
Uninstaller: JExpress automatically includes an uninstaller for your product. If your customer installs your product under Windows, then the uninstaller integrates into the Add/Remove icon on the Control Panel. You can customize the uninstaller with Java, too.
User input: Prompt users for information during the installation. Use their responses to alter the way the installer works or configure your application. No need to learn a specialized script language. Just use Java.
Variables: JExpress allows you to pass command line arguments to your applications. You can easily use variables to represent the installation directory or the Java home directory which are automatically adapted to the user's environment during installation.
You can also access the variables that the installer and updater use from your custom classes allowing you to adapt these programs to better meet your needs.
Translations: Your installers, autoupdaters, and uninstallers are ready for the international market. Currently, JExpress includes support for English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese, Simplied Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.
If your customer's system is configured to automatically display any of these languages, then your installer automatically uses their native language. You can easily adapt your custom commands to maintain this international support.
If you have a native language that you'd like supported, please send e-mail to
Silent installations: Your customers can install your product silently, if they'd like. This allows network administrators can make sure their users install the software the way the administrator knows is best for their environment.
Uploads to your web site: If you have a standard ftp server, then JExpress can automatically upload your distribution files to your web site, creating the directories and subdirectories as it goes. It can even backup the previous version allowing you to quickly swap directory names between your distribution version and the backup version to drop back to the former release. Its persistence in delivering your files to your site safely automates a tiresome, but critical task.
But, more importantly JExpress minimizes the time your product isn't available to your customers. Whenever you release a new version, JExpress transfers all the files to a temporary directory tree on your site. As soon as all the files are ready, it swaps directory names. In other words, JExpress quickly renames your old distribution directory to a backup directory and then renames the new temporary directory to the regular distribution directory. Your app is only inaccessible for a few seconds.
An extra benefit to this directory name swapping is that you get a backup of your previous version. You can revert to the last release in an instant if you discover something unexpected crept into your system.
Your ftp server must support the standard commands which provides a full Unix style directory listing for the backup feature to work.
Download pages generated. It already has your logo, installation instructions for each platform, and more. Your users just click on the installer they need. You can also easily integrate your own web site customization with the generated download pages and files.
Native integration: Your installers automatically add Windows menus and desktop icons, creates Mac OS X app bundles and desktop icons, and unix scripts. You also can access the Windows registry and setup a Windows services with a custom class.
JExpress lets you manage an unlimited number of Windows registry entries. To learn more about managing the Windows registry click here.
You change environment variables without writing a special program. You simply call a custom command that comes standard with JExpress. To learn more about changing environment variables click here.
Of course, you don't need to use this method to adapt your customer's environment to run your application. JExpress automatically sets the user's classpath in the Install options.
Additionally, you can install and remove Windows services by using the the Advanced interface Custom API for Windows Services.
Customizable look and feel: When you create your installers with the Advanced interface, you can use a custom look and feel if the installer uses Java 1.4 or later. JExpress installers can use any SkinLF compliant look and feel. Only themes implementing both GTK and KDE are supported.
Multiple install types: You can create multiple install types, also known as setup types, if you'd like with JExpress. This lets you organize your system so your customers can decide which components they'd like to install. For example, you might want to create Typical and Compact install types. The Typical might include all the files your customers might want and the Compact might only include the minimum your files need to operate.
You decide on the names for the install types and provide a brief description to help the customer know the differences between your options.
One installer, multiple products: JExpress lets you quickly create a single installer for multiple products or components. The user can install one or multiple components/packages at a time. And, each component has its own uninstaller.
You decide on the names for the components and provide a brief description to help the customer know the differences between your options.
Protect your update revenue: You can restrict the customers that receive your updates if your web server supports password protected directories. You simply configure your web server with the authorized user ids and passwords. Then you send a password file to each of your authorized customers with their private id and matching password. The JExpress Updater automatically verifies each user has permission before it allows them to receive the update.
Custom JRE bundle: You decide which JRE is acceptable for your program. If JExpress finds a matching JRE then it can use that one. Or you can create a JRE bundle to ship with your installer to insure that the user has the exact version that works best with your app.
Click here to learn more about bundling a JVM for your installer.
Also if your Java app needs special JVM flags, also known as switches, passed on the command line and you want the installer to automatically create menus to launch your app, then you'll need to create your menu items with the Advanced interface, not the Wizard.
Billboards: Your installers can display rotating marquees, during the installation process. You can create as many billboards as you'd like and decide how quickly they rotate.
For more details about how easy it is to configure billboards, see the manual's FAQ.
Password protect your distribution files: JExpress can password protect your distribution files so only customers with the valid password can install your product.
License agreement: If you include a license agreement, JExpress makes sure that customers agree to it before they can install your product.
You also have the option of including a READ ME file. Customers start learning about using your product during the installation, if you included one. With the click of a button, they can open up a full size window to easily review the document.
Automatically configures classpath: JExpress automatically sets the user's classpath during installation. You can let JExpress determine the classpath automatically by examing your distribution files or set it manually. No need to hassle with changing the user's environment. JExpress handles the classpath for you.
Eliminate unused Java classes: Click a button and JExpress scans your system, picks out all the necessary classes, and bundles them up for distribution. It's almost like magic. Preparing a new version for distribution takes minutes, instead of hours, with JExpress and your system stays compact for a fast download and installation.
But, the best part. Customers no longer report the dreaded "NoClassDefFoundError" error message.
For non-class files, or classes loaded with the Class methods, you specify files your system uses by selecting the directories and their subdirectories, including or excluding files by extension or by name. This flexible file specification means you distribute the exact files your system needs.
Creates JAR files: After JExpress creates the directory tree for you, it can JAR all your distribution files into a compact file with a complete manifest. You can create a project that eliminates all unused classes and then builds your JAR file. Your installer project can then include that JAR file in your file list. Use ant or a similar project management program to run multiple projects
Easy and professional: Creating an installer takes minutes with the simple JExpress wizard. You simply fill out some basic information about your Java app, click the Build button, and JExpress builds your cross platform installers.
If you need more features or just prefer not to use a Wizard, Jexpress also include an Advanced interface. It includes many more features, and you can go straight to the setting you want. With the Advanced interface you can easily create autoupdaters, eliminate unused classes, and automatically distribute your installers and updaters to your web site.
While you're building your installers and autoupdaters detailed help is only a key click away. A comprehensive and tightly integrated manual is available in both the wizard and advanced interface. When you're using JExpress you can get detailed information about each panel's options by selecting Help from the menu or clicking the Help button on the panel. And, as you pass your mouse over every field you'll see tips about that field. Of course, if you'd prefer to turn the tips off in JExpress, you can do that from the Options menu.
If JExpress detects any errors while building your project, it gives a brief description of the problem and a key to learn how to fix it. If you're still having trouble, then you can simply contact a support engineer. Our staff are great at explaining how to find solutions.
Choose the Advanced interface or the Wizard. JExpress includes both.
Generates cross platform installers using Swing: This really helps deliver on the promise of "Write once. Run anywhere." Installers built with JExpress can automatically give your customers the native look and feel they already know.
Multiple directory trees: Stop wasting time creating the complex directory tree required by most Java applications and applets ___ JExpress manages it for you. Only the exact classes you're using from each Java package are included in your distribution. Your files are automatically stored in the correct directory or subdirectory.
You can also filter which files you want included or excluded from a subdirectory based on file extensions. So you can insure your customers won't receive any .bak or .tmp files, by simply excluding them from your file list.
You can include almost any file (e.g., binary, text, etc.) that you'd like in your distribution list. The only known exception is a Mac CFM file because the CFM files cannot be moved to non-Mac platforms and maintain their integrity.
Compresses your system files: JExpress compresses your class and non-class files into a compact file with manifest. This insure a small foot print for your installation files and the manifest increases reliability during extraction.
6 months free support: You probably won't need any support to use JExpress, but if you do, we're ready to help. Any questions that you have are answered by engineers, not lollipop people. If you can't figure out how to do something, regardless if it's an unusual request or seems like something simple, see if our engineers might have a suggestion. You'll always get an answer within a business day and frequently within a few hours.
Learn more about the Support Programs for JExpress.