GNet Solutions

This is a simple guide on how to install an external .jar library using an Ant project in NetBeans.

• In the project root directory create a lib and add the library .jar files.
• From NetBeans, in the Project panel open the build.xml file.
• Edit the file and add the following inside the <project> tag:
  

      <property name="lib.dir"     value="lib"/>
  
      <path id="classpath">
          <fileset dir="${lib.dir}" includes="**/*.jar"/>
      </path>
  
      <target name="compile">
          <mkdir dir="${classes.dir}"/>
          <javac srcdir="${src.dir}" destdir="${classes.dir}" classpathref="classpath"/>
      </target>
  
      <target name="run" depends="jar">
          <java fork="true" classname="${main-class}">
              <classpath>
                  <path refid="classpath"/>
                  <path location="${jar.dir}/${ant.project.name}.jar"/>
              </classpath>
          </java>
      </target>
  

Now all .jar files added into the lib/ folder will be automatically included in the NetBeans project.

Resources¶

• https://ant.apache.org/manual/tutorial-HelloWorldWithAnt.html