Convert XAP to JAR

Understanding XAP and JAR file formats

The XAP file format is primarily associated with Silverlight applications, which are used to deliver rich internet applications. XAP files are essentially compressed archives that contain the application’s assemblies and resources. On the other hand, a JAR file is a package file format used to aggregate many Java class files and associated metadata and resources into one file for distribution. JAR files are commonly used for Java applications and can be executed by the Java Runtime Environment.

Why convert XAP to JAR?

Converting an XAP file to a JAR file might be necessary if you are transitioning from a Silverlight application to a Java-based application. This conversion allows you to reuse resources and code in a Java environment, facilitating the migration process.

How to convert XAP to JAR

Converting XAP to JAR is not a straightforward process due to the different technologies involved. However, you can manually extract the contents of the XAP file and then repackage them into a JAR file. Here’s a general approach:

• Rename the .xap file to .zip and extract its contents using any standard decompression tool.
• Identify the necessary resources and assemblies that need to be converted to Java equivalents.
• Use a Java IDE like Eclipse or IntelliJ IDEA to create a new Java project and import the extracted resources.
• Recompile the project and export it as a JAR file using the IDE’s export functionality, typically found under File → Export → JAR.

Best software for XAP to JAR conversion

While there is no direct software to convert XAP to JAR, using a combination of tools can facilitate the process:

• 7-Zip: A free and open-source file archiver that can be used to extract the contents of the XAP file.
• Eclipse or IntelliJ IDEA: Popular Java IDEs that can be used to create and export JAR files.