Eclipse RCP application using Java web start not starting up

Question

I am attempting to run an Eclipse RCP application using Java Web Start. However, I encounter this error after the application is downloaded and run:

JNLP JREDesc in Component ignored: null

After that, the application closes. What is the workaround for this?

This is my main JNLP file:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<jnlp spec="1.0+" codebase="http://localhost:8080/demoui-webstart/" href="start.jnlp"> 
  <information> 
    <title> Demo UI Application </title>  
    <vendor>Me</vendor>
    <homepage href="http://www.me.org" />
    <description>description</description> 
    <offline-allowed/>
  </information>

  <security>
    <all-permissions/>
  </security>

  <resources>
    <j2se version="1.7+"/>
    <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher_1.2.0.v20110502.jar"/>
    <extension name="Wrapper feature" href="features/org.test.webstart.demo.wrapperfeature_0.1.0.jnlp"/>

    <property name="osgi.instance.area" value="@user.home/Application Data/demoui-rcp"/>
    <property name="osgi.configuration.area" value="@user.home/Application Data/demoui-rcp"/>

    <property name="eclipse.application" value="org.test.webstart.demo.plugin.application"/>
  </resources>

  <application-desc main-class="org.eclipse.equinox.launcher.WebStartMain">
    <argument>-nosplash</argument>
  </application-desc>
</jnlp>

org.test.webstart.demo.wrapperfeature_0.1.0.jnlp

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<jnlp spec="1.0+" codebase="http://localhost:8080/demoui-webstart/">
    <information>
        <title>Wrapperfeature</title>
        <vendor>Me</vendor>
        <offline-allowed/>
    </information>
    <resources>
        <j2se version="1.7+" />
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher_1.2.0.v20110502.jar"/>
        <extension href="features/org.test.webstart.demo.feature_0.1.0.jnlp" />
    </resources>
    <component-desc/>
</jnlp>

org.test.webstart.demo.feature_0.1.0.jnlp

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<jnlp spec="1.0+" codebase="http://localhost:8080/demoui-webstart/">
    <information>
        <title>Feature</title>
        <vendor>Me</vendor>
        <offline-allowed/>
    </information>
    <security>
        <all-permissions/>
    </security>

    <resources>
        <j2se version="1.7+" />
        <jar href="plugins/org.test.webstart.demo.plugin_0.1.0.jar"/>
        <extension href="features/org.eclipse.rcp_3.7.2.v20120120-1424-9DB5FmnFq5JCf1UA38R-kz0S0272.jnlp" />
    </resources>
    <component-desc/>
</jnlp>

org.eclipse.rcp_3.7.2.v20120120-1424-9DB5FmnFq5JCf1UA38R-kz0S0272

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<jnlp spec="1.0+" codebase="http://localhost:8080/demoui-webstart/">
    <information>
        <title>Eclipse RCP</title>
        <vendor>Eclipse.org</vendor>
        <offline-allowed/>
    </information>
    <security>
        <all-permissions/>
    </security>
    <component-desc/>
    <resources>
        <j2se version="1.7+" />
    </resources>
    <resources>
        <jar href="plugins/com.ibm.icu_4.4.2.v20110823.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.core.commands_3.6.0.I20110111-0800.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.core.databinding_1.4.0.I20110111-0800.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.core.databinding.observable_1.4.0.I20110222-0800.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.core.databinding.property_1.4.0.I20110222-0800.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.core.databinding.beans_1.2.100.I20100824-0800.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.core.jobs_3.5.101.v20120113-1953.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.core.expressions_3.4.300.v20110228.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.core.runtime_3.7.0.v20110110.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.core.runtime.compatibility.auth_3.2.200.v20110110.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.osgi_3.7.2.v20120110-1415.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.osgi.services_3.3.0.v20110513.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.help_3.5.100.v20110426.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.swt_3.7.2.v3740f.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.jface_3.7.0.v20110928-1505.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.jface.databinding_1.5.0.I20100907-0800.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.ui_3.7.0.v20110928-1505.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.ui.workbench_3.7.1.v20120104-1859.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Mac">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.ui.carbon_4.0.100.I20101109-0800.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Mac">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.ui.cocoa_1.1.0.I20101109-0800.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.update.configurator_3.3.100.v20100512.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.simpleconfigurator_1.0.200.v20110815-1438.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Windows" arch="x86">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.swt.win32.win32.x86_3.7.2.v3740f.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Windows" arch="x86_64">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.swt.win32.win32.x86_64_3.7.2.v3740f.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Linux" arch="x86">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.swt.gtk.linux.x86_3.7.2.v3740f.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Linux" arch="s390x">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.swt.gtk.linux.s390x_3.7.2.v3740f.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Linux" arch="s390">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.swt.gtk.linux.s390_3.7.2.v3740f.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Solaris" arch="sparc">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.swt.gtk.solaris.sparc_3.7.2.v3740f.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Solaris" arch="x86">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.swt.gtk.solaris.x86_3.7.2.v3740f.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Linux" arch="ppc64">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.swt.gtk.linux.ppc64_3.7.2.v3740f.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Linux" arch="x86_64">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.swt.gtk.linux.x86_64_3.7.2.v3740f.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Mac" arch="ppc">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.swt.carbon.macosx_3.7.2.v3740f.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Mac" arch="x86">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.swt.carbon.macosx_3.7.2.v3740f.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Mac" arch="ppc">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.swt.cocoa.macosx_3.7.2.v3740f.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Mac" arch="x86">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.swt.cocoa.macosx_3.7.2.v3740f.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Mac" arch="x86_64">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.swt.cocoa.macosx.x86_64_3.7.2.v3740f.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="AIX" arch="ppc">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.swt.gtk.aix.ppc_3.7.2.v3740f.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="AIX" arch="ppc64">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.swt.gtk.aix.ppc64_3.7.2.v3740f.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="HP-UX" arch="ia64_32">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.swt.gtk.hpux.ia64_32_3.7.2.v3740f.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.rcp_3.7.2.v201202080800.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.core.contenttype_3.4.100.v20110423-0524.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.app_1.3.100.v20110321.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.common_3.6.0.v20110523.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.ds_1.3.1.R37x_v20110701.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.util_1.0.300.v20110502.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.preferences_3.4.2.v20120111-2020.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.registry_3.5.101.R37x_v20110810-1611.jar"/>
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher_1.2.0.v20110502.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Solaris" arch="sparc">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher.gtk.solaris.sparc_1.1.100.v20110505.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Solaris" arch="x86">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher.gtk.solaris.x86_1.1.100.v20110505.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Mac" arch="ppc">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher.carbon.macosx_1.1.100.v20110502.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Mac" arch="x86">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher.carbon.macosx_1.1.100.v20110502.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Mac" arch="ppc">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher.cocoa.macosx_1.1.101.v20120109-1504.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Mac" arch="x86">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher.cocoa.macosx_1.1.101.v20120109-1504.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Mac" arch="x86_64">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher.cocoa.macosx.x86_64_1.1.101.v20120109-1504.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Linux" arch="ppc64">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher.gtk.linux.ppc64_1.0.100.v20110505.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Linux" arch="x86">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher.gtk.linux.x86_1.1.100.v20110505.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Linux" arch="s390x">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher.gtk.linux.s390x_1.1.100.v20110505.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Linux" arch="s390">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher.gtk.linux.s390_1.1.100.v20110505.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Linux" arch="x86_64">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher.gtk.linux.x86_64_1.1.100.v20110505.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="AIX" arch="ppc">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher.gtk.aix.ppc_1.1.0.v20110530.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="AIX" arch="ppc64">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher.gtk.aix.ppc64_1.1.0.v20110530.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Windows" arch="x86">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher.win32.win32.x86_1.1.100.v20110502.jar"/>
    </resources>
    <resources os="Windows" arch="x86_64">
        <jar href="plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher.win32.win32.x86_64_1.1.100.v20110502.jar"/>
    </resources>
</jnlp>

Be sure to validate the JNLP using [JaNeLA](http://pscode.org/janela/). — Andrew Thompson, Apr 18 '12 at 21:07
I tried JaNeLA and the JNLP was without errors. Still, the application cannot start. — jackeblagare, Apr 19 '12 at 05:29
That information does not gel with *"JREDesc in Component ignored:"* What component (extension) JNLPs are used? What is their content? — Andrew Thompson, Apr 19 '12 at 05:32
Basically, I have three JNLPs apart from the main JNLP. Two feature projects (Eclipse RCP) and another one generated by Eclipse RCP. — jackeblagare, Apr 19 '12 at 06:19
*"I tried JaNeLA and the JNLP was without errors."* Which 'JaNeLA' are *you* looking at? I see errors for that JNLP when I load it in JaNeLA. A couple of them are due to the missing `component-desc` but at least one is apparent even from eye-balling the edited text of the JNLP. Also, you mention 3 extensions, while that JNLP only lists one. Where are the other 2 listed? — Andrew Thompson, Apr 19 '12 at 09:23
Thanks for the full details, but there is still a problem with the first JNLP, and at least one of the extensions (you can check it more easily there). The main problem I get here is `cvc-complex-type.2.4.d: Invalid content was found starting with element 'resources'. No child element is expected at this point.` The [JaNeLA help](http://pscode.org/janela/help.html#error) explains *"..cvc-complex-type.2.4.a: Invalid content was found .. most often means that elements are out of the correct order in the launch file. ..try shifting the element further up the document."* — Andrew Thompson, Apr 20 '12 at 00:26
Hi. Thanks for pointing those errors out. I fixed them by rearranging the elements but the problem persists. — jackeblagare, Apr 20 '12 at 02:27
OK. So their are **no** red/pink errors left in the output? Make sure you uninstall the app. & extensions before trying with a new JNLP. JWS updates Jars well, but can cache (& not update) JNLP launch files to a frustrating extent. — Andrew Thompson, Apr 20 '12 at 02:31
Yes. There are no more red/pink errors. I have also made sure the files were not cached. — jackeblagare, Apr 20 '12 at 02:33

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 20 '12 at 02:38

1.7 is not production ready yet. It could be you've uncovered a bug in the implementation.

JNLP JREDesc in Component ignored: null

This is because of the declaration of:

 <j2se version="1.7+" />

In each extension. By the time an extension is loaded, the JRE has been chosen and is running, it is up to the version specified in the main launch file to ensure the right version for the app. (& all extensions).

I actually find that frustrating in that it would be an easy way to indicate the minimum version required, to users of the extension. OTOH you can make it a comment instead.

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 14 '13 at 15:57

Several issues about this problem (i had the same):

"JNLP JREDesc in Component ignored: null" is just an information, not a problem. Its shown when multiple jnlp files declare a j2se version. The first one is taken.
If webstart is closing, this is probably due to a different error. Try to figure out the error in the following way: Open the file $HOME/.java/deployment/deployment.properties and set deployment.javaws.logToFile=true and deployment.javaws.logFileName=LOG_FILE. Restart your webstart application and then read your log file LOG_FILE in order to view the actual problem the console couldn't show (because it closed to fast).
Then, it is also possible, that even if the webstart meachnism works fine, your eclipse RCP application does not. In this case your LOG_FILE shows no problem, but regard in the directory, specified with "osgi.instance.area" in your jnlp file. Look there for .metadata/.log file or any other log file. You should then try to solve the eclipse rcp problems, if there are any shown in those log files.
By the way, in may case I tried an Eclipse RCP 4 application. To get run an RCP 4 application with Webstart, you must add the following property to your main jnlp file (under the resources tag) to ensure, that some important plugins are loaded in a consistent way:
```
<property name="osgi.bundles"
     value="org.eclipse.core.runtime@4:start,
            org.eclipse.equinox.common@3:start,
            org.eclipse.equinox.ds@2:start,org.
            eclipse.equinox.simpleconfigurator@1:start">
```

Eclipse RCP application using Java web start not starting up

2 Answers2