JArgp Basics

JArgp is a library for processing command line arguments in Java. Unlike most other libraries of this type, JArgp uses reflection to store actual values directly to fields in the target application object. This makes it very easy to configure and use with a wide variety of applications.

For a more detailed description of the JArgp design and usage see the IBM developerWorks article Java programming dynamics, Part 3: Applied reflection. The article covers most aspects of the library, though it leaves out one significant feature. This feature is the ability to provide descriptions in the parameter defintions, which JArgp will then format nicely for display as user help information. For a quick example of how this works, see the /build/src/test/Test.java file within the distribution. The source for the skeleton application from the developerWorks article is also included in the distribution, as /build/src/test/PlanGen.java.

Feel free to use and adapt JArgp for your needs. If you want to contribute code back to the project, please follow the style conventions used in the existing code. These are basically as outlined on this page.

Here's the JArgp license information:

Copyright (c) 2003, Dennis M. Sosnoski
All rights reserved.

Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification,
are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:

 * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this
   list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
 * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice,
   this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation
   and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
 * Neither the name of JiBX nor the names of its contributors may be used
   to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific
   prior written permission.

THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND
ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR
ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
(INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES;
LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON
ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
(INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS
SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.