Maven JavaFx project compiles but running from console give "Missing JavaFX application class" error msg

Question

I'm working migrating my Maven JavaFX app from Java 8 to Java 11. Iv'e updated the plugins in my pom.xml to the most current (Java 11 compliant) plugins. Compilation runs fine, giving me the jars and all dependencies and modules in the right directories under the "target" folder but when I try to run my jar file I get the dreaded "Missing JavaFX application class " error. No matter how I try to change the plugin configuration - I always get this error msg and the app won't run.

Now, more findings : 1. The main class DOES reside in the right folder under classes and in the jar. 2. The Manifest file is in the right place and contains the main class attribute (which worked fine under Java 8).

Here is the relevant part of the

<plugin>
        <artifactId>maven-compiler-plugin</artifactId>
        <version>3.8.0</version>
        <configuration>
            <source>11</source>
            <release>11</release>
            <showWarnings>true</showWarnings>
            <showDeprecation>true</showDeprecation>
            <compilerVersion>11</compilerVersion>
        </configuration>
        <dependencies>
            <dependency>
                <groupId>org.ow2.asm</groupId>
                <artifactId>asm</artifactId>
                <version>7.0</version>
            </dependency>
        </dependencies>
</plugin>
<plugin>
        <artifactId>maven-jar-plugin</artifactId>
        <configuration>
            <archive>
                <manifest>
                   <addClasspath>false</addClasspath>
                   <mainClass>${mainClass}</mainClass>
                </manifest>
                <manifestEntries>
                   <JavaFX-Application-Class>${mainClass}</JavaFX-Application-Class>
                </manifestEntries>
             </archive>
             <outputDirectory>${project.build.directory}/libs</outputDirectory>
        </configuration>
</plugin>
<plugin>
        <artifactId>maven-dependency-plugin</artifactId>
        <version>3.1.0</version>
        <executions>
                <execution>
                        <id>copy-libs</id>
                        <phase>prepare-package</phase>
                        <goals>
                                <goal>copy-dependencies</goal>
                        </goals>
                        <configuration>
                                <outputDirectory>${project.build.directory}/libs</outputDirectory>
                                <includeScope>runtime</includeScope>
                                <excludeGroupIds>org.openjfx</excludeGroupIds>
                        </configuration>
                </execution>
                <execution>
                        <id>copy-modules</id>
                        <phase>prepare-package</phase>
                        <goals>
                                <goal>copy-dependencies</goal>
                        </goals>
                        <configuration>
                                <outputDirectory>${project.build.directory}/mods</outputDirectory>
                                <includeScope>runtime</includeScope>
                                <includeGroupIds>org.openjfx</includeGroupIds>
                        </configuration>
                </execution>
        </executions>

I'm running the jar by including the JavaFX modules as described in the documentation :

java -verbose --module-path ../mods \
    --add-modules javafx.controls,javafx.graphics,javafx.fxml,javafx.swing \
     -jar jar-file-name.jar \
     package.class.MainClass

In my frustration Iv'e tried endless configurations, including using the configuration from the JavaFx Java 11 samples. Nothing works.

Any ideas?

Did you try and follow the [documentation](https://openjfx.io/openjfx-docs/#maven)? — Naman, Feb 25 '19 at 08:21
this is a known bug. https://bugs.openjdk.java.net/browse/JDK-8163089?attachmentViewMode=list — Mebin Joe, Feb 25 '19 at 08:22
@nullpointer - Yes, I followed the documentation. I tried using the pom.xml file supplied in this sample but it didn't help. — FunkSoulBrother, Feb 25 '19 at 08:40
Your pom with the HelloFX [sample](https://github.com/openjfx/samples/tree/master/CommandLine/Non-modular/Maven/hellofx) works fine for me, with your command line command. — José Pereda, Feb 25 '19 at 09:24
The sample is a one class project. Real life apps are far more complex. I'm looking for a way to find what's wrong with the build and how to fix it. Any suggestions ? — FunkSoulBrother, Mar 06 '19 at 11:58

FunkSoulBrother · Accepted Answer · 2019-03-10T12:13:13.453

I found a workaround at https://github.com/javafxports/openjdk-jfx/issues/236.

This workaround includes creating a new, regular (non Java Fx) class that will be the main class of the Jar and this class will launch the original JavaFx based application class.

This is the new class from the link where I found the workaround:

public class Main {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        HelloFX.main(args);
    }
}

Hope this helps someone. I'm not marking this answer as the correct one due to the fact that it's a workaround and not a real solution.

EDIT : it turns out that the workaround described in the JavaFX documentation here : https://openjfx.io/openjfx-docs/#modular

As explained here, in order to create a runnable jar with all the required JavaFX dependencies, you will need to use a launcher class that doesn't extend from Application.

This is the slightly bonkers solution I went with. Running in Intellij gave me the worrying message: "Error: JavaFX runtime components are missing, and are required to run this application". This sounds like something fundamental is missing from your system. Then you just create another class with a main method that simply calls your original class's main method, and it works! What a silly situation this is, but thanks for the solution. — davidfrancis, Jul 27 '20 at 11:23

Maven JavaFx project compiles but running from console give "Missing JavaFX application class" error msg

1 Answers1

Linked