How to Run a JAR file from Command Prompt - Windows and UNIX

So you got a JAR file which contains your favorite Java game and you are wondering how to run Java program from JAR  file? Or you may be simply trying your hand after running Java program from the command prompt and Eclipse IDE. Anyway, it's good to know How to execute Java program from JAR file, as JAR file is a most popular way of shipping Java programs. JAR file usually contains all source and resource in the form of class files, images, sound files etc. In order to run Java program from JAR file, it must be an executable JAR file i.e. it manifest file inside META-INF folder must contain a Main-class entry like Main-Class: Hello, which specify the name of Java class which contains standard main method in Java. Without Main-class entry, you can not run a JAR file in Java and if you try to run such jar file using jar command you will get the error "Failed to load Main-Class manifest attribute from HelloWorld.jar". If you are not very much familiar with JAR file and don't know How to create an executable JAR, See this step by step tutorial on How to create executable JAR in Java. In this tutorial, we will only focus on running Java program from an executable JAR file.

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