how to distribute a java-application with libraries such as itext?

Question

I have written an application in java. It uses iText, jXL and JAI.

How do I build a jar which contains all these libraries? Or do I have to force the user to install these too?

Answer 1

Either unpack the jars into your jar, or just add them to the jar classpath via the Class-Path attribute in your meta-inf, and distribute the libraries along with your main jar. Sample META_INF/Manifest.mf:

Manifest-Version: 1.0
Class-Path: itext.jar jxl.jar jai.jar
Main-Class: com.xxx.yyy.Main