# How does the .exe Compiler work?
**URL:** https://discourse.processing.org/t/how-does-the-exe-compiler-work/35115
**Category:** Project Guidance
**Created:** [February 11, 2022, 8:27pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/how-does-the-exe-compiler-work/35115 "2022-02-11T20:27:04Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@NumericPrime](https://discourse.processing.org/u/NumericPrime)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2022, 8:27pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/how-does-the-exe-compiler-work/35115/1 "2022-02-11T20:27:05Z")
I am currently trying to learn how to make an .exe out of a .java/.jar file. Since I’m curious and Launch4j kinda doesn’t work I want to write such a program myself.
Since Processing has a simular function I figured it would be a good place to start.
So how does the compiler work or where can I start looking?
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### Author:  [@Chrisir](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Chrisir)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2022, 7:35pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/how-does-the-exe-compiler-work/35115/2 "2022-02-12T19:35:45Z")
you can’t write a Java Compiler your own. That’s like a Boeing 747. Unless you have a PhD in Computer Science and a good team with you.
Seriously, try to get Launch4j to work.
processing IDE can make exe-files, check out menu File | Export please (iirc). Why don’t you use this?
(processing IDE doesn’t have its own compiler, it’s just a pre-compiler (to put some Java overhead to the processing Sketch (the text file)) and then uses Launch4j.)