Can a signed Jar be run as an executable?

Question

I ask because I have an unsigned jar that runs and a signed version that doesn't. Looking at the manifests, I see no main class thing for the signed one.

Do I have to run a signed jar from web start?

Answer 1

Not necessarily, but if you don't have a Main-class: in the manifest, you can't run it as an executable. If you know the main class, you can run it using the java executable, eg

$ java -classpath ./myjar.jar MyClass

Answer 2

Sounds like you build process is updated the manifast.mf

Answer 3

you need to sign your jar to run outside of the web start sandbox......

google here