# JavaExec

API Documentation: | `JavaExec`

Executes a Java application in a child process.

Similar to `Exec`, but starts a JVM with the given classpath and application class.

    apply plugin: 'java'

    task runApp(type: JavaExec) {
      classpath = sourceSets.main.runtimeClasspath

      main = 'package.Main'

      // arguments to pass to the application
      args 'appArg1'
    }

The process can be started in debug mode (see `JavaExec.getDebug()`) in an ad-hoc manner by supplying the `--debug-jvm` switch when invoking the build.

    gradle someJavaExecTask --debug-jvm

### Properties

Property | Description
`allJvmArgs` | The full set of arguments to use to launch the JVM for the process. This includes arguments to define system properties, the minimum/maximum heap size, and the bootstrap classpath.
`args` | The arguments passed to the main class to be executed.
`bootstrapClasspath` | The bootstrap classpath to use for the process. The default bootstrap classpath for the JVM is used when this classpath is empty.
`classpath` | The classpath for executing the main class.
`commandLine` | The full command line, including the executable plus its arguments.
`debug` | Returns true if debugging is enabled for the process. When enabled, the process is started suspended and listening on port 5005.
`enableAssertions` | Returns true if assertions are enabled for the process.
`environment` | The environment variables to use for the process. Defaults to the environment of this process.
`errorOutput` | The output stream to consume standard error from the process executing the command. Default to `System.err`.
`executable` | The name of the executable to use.
`ignoreExitValue` | Tells whether a non-zero exit value is ignored, or an exception thrown. Defaults to `false`.
`jvmArgs` | The extra arguments to use to launch the JVM for the process. Does not include system properties and the minimum/maximum heap size.
`main` | The fully qualified name of the Main class to be executed.
`maxHeapSize` | The maximum heap size for the process, if any.
`standardInput` | The standard input stream for the process executing the command. The stream is closed after the process completes. Defaults to an empty stream.
`standardOutput` | The output stream to consume standard output from the process executing the command. Defaults to `System.out`.
`systemProperties` | The system properties which will be used for the process.
`workingDir` | The working directory for the process. Defaults to the project directory.

### Methods

Method | Description
`args(args)` | Adds args for the main class to be executed.
`args(args)` | Adds args for the main class to be executed.
`bootstrapClasspath(classpath)` | Adds the given values to the end of the bootstrap classpath for the process.
`classpath(paths)` | Adds elements to the classpath for executing the main class.
`copyTo(options)` | Copies these options to the given options.
`copyTo(target)` | Copies these options to the given target options.
`environment(name, value)` | Adds an environment variable to the environment for this process.
`environment(environmentVariables)` | Adds some environment variables to the environment for this process.
`executable(executable)` | Sets the name of the executable to use.
`jvmArgs(arguments)` | Adds some arguments to use to launch the JVM for the process.
`jvmArgs(arguments)` | Adds some arguments to use to launch the JVM for the process.
`systemProperties(properties)` | Adds some system properties to use for the process.
`workingDir(dir)` | Sets the working directory for the process. The supplied argument is evaluated as per `Project.file()`.

### Script blocks

No script blocks

### Property details

#### ``List`<`String`>` `allJvmArgs`

The full set of arguments to use to launch the JVM for the process. This includes arguments to define system properties, the minimum/maximum heap size, and the bootstrap classpath.

#### ``List`<`String`>` `args`

The arguments passed to the main class to be executed.

Default:
  `[]`

#### `FileCollection` `bootstrapClasspath`

The bootstrap classpath to use for the process. The default bootstrap classpath for the JVM is used when this classpath is empty.

Default:
  `[]`

#### `FileCollection` `classpath`

The classpath for executing the main class.

Default:
  `null`

#### ``List`<`String`>` `commandLine` (read-only)

The full command line, including the executable plus its arguments.

#### `boolean` `debug`

Returns true if debugging is enabled for the process. When enabled, the process is started suspended and listening on port 5005.

Default:
  `false`

#### `boolean` `enableAssertions`

Returns true if assertions are enabled for the process.

Default:
  `false`

#### ``Map`<`String`, `Object`>` `environment`

The environment variables to use for the process. Defaults to the environment of this process.

Default:
  Current process' environment

#### `OutputStream` `errorOutput`

The output stream to consume standard error from the process executing the command. Default to `System.err`.

Default:
  `System.err`

#### `String` `executable`

The name of the executable to use.

Default:
  `java` executable for current JVM

#### `boolean` `ignoreExitValue`

Tells whether a non-zero exit value is ignored, or an exception thrown. Defaults to `false`.

Default:
  `false`

#### ``List`<`String`>` `jvmArgs`

The extra arguments to use to launch the JVM for the process. Does not include system properties and the minimum/maximum heap size.

Default:
  `[]`

#### `String` `main`

The fully qualified name of the Main class to be executed.

Default:
  `null`

#### `String` `maxHeapSize`

The maximum heap size for the process, if any.

Default:
  `null`

#### `InputStream` `standardInput`

The standard input stream for the process executing the command. The stream is closed after the process completes. Defaults to an empty stream.

Default:
  An empty `InputStream`

#### `OutputStream` `standardOutput`

The output stream to consume standard output from the process executing the command. Defaults to `System.out`.

Default:
  `System.out`

#### ``Map`<`String`, `Object`>` `systemProperties`

The system properties which will be used for the process.

Default:
  `[:]`

#### `File` `workingDir`

The working directory for the process. Defaults to the project directory.

Default:
  `project.projectDir`

### Method details

#### `JavaExecSpec` `args`(``Iterable`<?>` args)

Adds args for the main class to be executed.

#### `JavaExec` `args`(``Object`...` args)

Adds args for the main class to be executed.

#### `JavaExec` `bootstrapClasspath`(``Object`...` classpath)

Adds the given values to the end of the bootstrap classpath for the process.

#### `JavaExec` `classpath`(``Object`...` paths)

Adds elements to the classpath for executing the main class.

#### `JavaExec` `copyTo`(`JavaForkOptions` options)

Copies these options to the given options.

#### `JavaExec` `copyTo`(`ProcessForkOptions` target)

Copies these options to the given target options.

#### `JavaExec` `environment`(`String` name, `Object` value)

Adds an environment variable to the environment for this process.

#### `JavaExec` `environment`(``Map`<`String`, ?>` environmentVariables)

Adds some environment variables to the environment for this process.

#### `JavaExec` `executable`(`Object` executable)

Sets the name of the executable to use.

#### `JavaExec` `jvmArgs`(``Iterable`<?>` arguments)

Adds some arguments to use to launch the JVM for the process.

#### `JavaExec` `jvmArgs`(``Object`...` arguments)

Adds some arguments to use to launch the JVM for the process.

#### `JavaExec` `systemProperties`(``Map`<`String`, ?>` properties)

Adds some system properties to use for the process.

#### `JavaExec` `workingDir`(`Object` dir)

Sets the working directory for the process. The supplied argument is evaluated as per `Project.file()`.