I'd like to get a concensus on a Windows QTJ application deployment strategy we might all be able to use in the future.
Let's use the scenario I'm dealing with. It's a good starting point since it's pretty broad.
I'm installing a QTJ-dependent Java application along with a Java JRE. Some(many?), commercial users may not like the idea of a 'prerequisite' Java installation, hence the bundled JRE. It also lets me make sure they're using the version I want them using with my application.
There are 2 possible configuration scenarios prior to the QTJ application install. Either (A)the system has a correct version of Quicktime(7 in my case) already installed or (B)it doesn't.
Now, what are the options to ensure the correct version of QT and QTJ is installed and available to the JRE?
I don't have a definitive answer, that's what I'm hoping this thread will eventually achieve, but here are some thoughts and options.
Case A
QT7 installs the QTJ components automatically. Great! But when I install my application with my bundled JRE, QTJava.zip is not in a place where my JRE will find it. As previously posted, QTJava.zip will be installed in <QT install directory>/QTSystem/QTJava.zip. Options:
(1) I could bundle QTJava.zip with my application and make sure my application CLASSPATH points to it, but I'd need to license this with Apple. I don't know how much this costs, but it's not terribly desirable.
(2) I could ask the user to copy the QTJava.zip file from above into my /jre/lib/ext directory. This is really cumbersome and way too much to ask from a paying customer.
(3) On startup of my application, I could try searching the system in likely places for QTJava.zip and upon finding it, dynamically add it to my CLASSPATH. This is not only kludgy, but unreliable since the user could potentially install Quicktime in an unusual location I couldn't guess.
(4) I could ask the user to reinstall Quicktime after installing my application in hopes that the Quicktime installer would pick up my jre location and kindly deposit QTJava.zip in its /lib/ext directory. I doubt the installer will actually do this though.
Case B
My prerequisite version of Quicktime hasn't been installed. If the user installs it before installing my application, we go back to Case A. If they do it after installing my application, I'm still stuck hoping against hope that scenario 4 from Case A will happen.
So, I'm generally stuck. Not seeing a really good option, but I'm sure some of you out there do. Let's hear it.
I take it things are easier on the Mac. It comes bundled with a JRE. Does QT automatically install QTJava.zip in a place where the JRE picks it up?
.
I'm hoping we can brainstorm and come up with a good solution to this fairly universal problem once and for all.
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