Go Java Launcher is a launcher for JAR files that searches for the appropriate JRE version and launches the JAR with that version. It ensures compatibility by downloading and installing the required JRE from AdoptOpenJDK if it is not already installed.
Developers often encounter issues when users do not have the required JRE installed or are using an outdated version. This can lead to compatibility problems and bug reports that are difficult to resolve.
Go Java Launcher addresses these issues by automatically managing the JRE version. It ensures that the correct JRE is used, even if it needs to be downloaded and installed, all without requiring user interaction.
Pre-built binaries for Windows and Linux (x64) are available on the releases page. Note that the Windows release may have a default icon and no app manifest. You can customize these using tools like Resource Hacker, or you can build the launcher from source.
To build the launcher, you need Golang and Make. Run the following commands:
For Windows:
make windows
For Linux:
make linux
If you prefer not to install Make, you can manually execute the commands listed in the Makefile.
On Windows, you can customize the launcher icon by replacing resources/icon.ico.
Configuration is managed via a go-java.json file placed in the same directory as the launcher. This JSON file allows you to specify the desired Java version and the name of the JAR file to be launched. A default configuration file is available here: go-java.json.