JLoader 1.0 A java dynamic class-loading installer

JLoader

Overview
Features
Requirements
How it works
Installation
Download
Known issues

Overview:

JLoader is an open source java installer that compresses class files into a single one using ZIP format. On running, it dynamically loads classes; instead of saving them.

Features:

Source code included.
Small output class file.
Dynamic class loading.
Supports inner classes.

Requirements:

Requires a Java Virtual Machine that supports Sun's JDK 1.1 or later.

How it works:

The idea is that you can append anything to class file. Your application files are zipped and appended to a 5 KB loader class that unzips and dynamically loads class files and saves other files to their original location.

Generated class

Loader class

Application

JLoader is composed of two classes:

JLoader.class which is the default loader class used to extract zipped information appended to itself.
Packager.class which is responsible for packaging application files to a self-extracting class file.

You may get confused as the class name gives nothing about what is really inside, consider the following:

Packager.class

OR

JLoader.class

Loader class

Packager

run

output/JLoader.class

Loader class

Application

The first JLoader.class contains Packager, by running it (or Packager.class), you will get another generated JLoader.class (in output subdirectory), which contains your application. You should always know what is appended.

Installation:

After unzipping JLoader.zip you will find a JLoader.class, remember that it contains Packager, so running

java JLoader parameters
is equivalent to

java Packager parameters

Syntax: java JLoader [-options] entry_class

Where: entry_class is the fully qualified entry class name (with main method), without .class suffix.
Where options include:

-include name_ext
file names and extensions to include (default: all files)

-exclude name_ext
file names and extensions to exclude (default: none)

Where:

name_ext

case-sensitive pathnames or

Extensions (without '.')

separated by semicolon.

Example 1:

java JLoader mypackage.MyEntryClass

will include all files in the current and sub-directories; the entry point of the program is mypackage.MyEntryClass

Example 2:

java JLoader -include class;html;jpg

-exclude delme/temp.html EntryClass

will ONLY include class, html, and jpg files, but not delme/temp.html.

If -include is used, only those specified will be included; otherwise all files will be included.
The generated JLoader.class file will be located in a subdirectory named output.
If you would like to rename the output file to program_name.class, read JLoader.java. example subdirectory contains an example of doing so.

Download:

This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.

Click to download (includes source code).

Known issues:

If your entry class (with the main method) is declared to be package private i.e. without the public modifier, you will have IllegalAccessException. That is because the Java virtual machine has the privilege of running the main method even in package private classes, but JLoader depends on Method.invoke(Object, Object[]).
If you are using an Obfuscator that uses illegal names, you may have trouble. As again, JLoader uses ClassLoader.defineClass(String, byte[], int, int).

http://www.geocities.com/asashour/jloader

Last update: 31^st July, 00

`-include`	`name_ext`	file names and extensions to include (default: all files)

`-exclude`	`name_ext`	file names and extensions to exclude (default: none)