start /b javaw with custom path to java home issue

Question

I'm writing a windows batch script to start my Java program in the background, using javaw.

The issue comes when I let the user have a custom path to the Java Home. Let's say in an example when the path to Java home is: C:\Users\Sample User\Desktop\java (notice the space in the path), when I try running the start command, it breaks because of the spaces.

Example:

@echo off
set CUSTOM_JAVA_HOME=C:\Users\Federico Einhorn\Desktop\java

set CP=myjar.jar;../lib/*;.
set JAVA_PARAMS=-myOption -Xmx1024M -classpath %CP%
set JAVA_CLASS=com.myorg.MyClass
set RUN_OPTS=%JAVA_PARAMS% %JAVA_CLASS% start

start /b "%CUSTOM_JAVA_HOME%/bin/javaw" %RUN_OPTS%

That start command fails as the CUSTOM_JAVA_HOME has spaces.

Windows cannot find '-myOption'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.

This doesn't happen when I run my jar with regular java:

"%CUSTOM_JAVA_HOME%/bin/java" %RUN_OPTS%

Is there a way to solve this?

You should use a backslash, not a forward slash: "%CUSTOM_JAVA_HOME%/bin/javaw" should be "%CUSTOM_JAVA_HOME%\bin\javaw" and set CP=myjar.jar;../lib/* should be set CP=myjar.jar;..\lib\*; — user330315
– user330315, Commented Jul 2, 2018 at 13:12
@a_horse_with_no_name using backslashes doesn't solve it. I still get the same error. — Fede E.
– Fede E., Commented Jul 2, 2018 at 13:23
That's because Start sees "%CUSTOM_JAVA_HOME%/bin/javaw" as a title. The fix is to include a title yourself, even a blank one: Start "" /B "%CUSTOM_JAVA_HOME%\bin\javaw" %RUN_OPTS% — Compo
– Compo, Commented Jul 2, 2018 at 13:30
@Compo that worked!! Asweome. You should put that comment as the solution. — Fede E.
– Fede E., Commented Jul 2, 2018 at 14:12

Compo · Accepted Answer · 2018-07-02 14:22:14Z

4

Start sees "%CUSTOM_JAVA_HOME%/bin/javaw" as a title.

The fix is to include a title yourself, even a blank one:

Start "" /B "%CUSTOM_JAVA_HOME%\bin\javaw" %RUN_OPTS%

answered Jul 2, 2018 at 14:22

Compo

39k5 gold badges32 silver badges46 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

start /b javaw with custom path to java home issue

1 Answer 1

Comments

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

Comments

Related