GraalVM Native Image supports the Java Platform Module System, introduced in Java 9, which means you can convert a modularized Java application into a native executable.

The native-image tool accepts the module-related arguments like --module (-m), --module-path (-p), --add-opens, --add-exports (same as for the java launcher). When such a module-related argument is used, the native-image tool itself is used as a module too.

In addition to supporting --add-reads and --add-modules, all module related options are considered prior to scanning the modulepath. This helps prevent class loading errors and allow for better module introspection at run time.

The command to build a native executable from a Java module is:

native-image [options] --module <module>[/<mainclass>] [options]

The example below shows how to build a modular Java application into a native executable.

• GraalVM
• Native Image

1. Download and install the latest GraalVM JDK with Native Image using the GraalVM JDK Downloader:

   bash <(curl -sL https://get.graalvm.org/jdk) -c 'native-image'

2. Download or clone the repository and navigate into the native-hello-module directory:

   git clone https://github.com/graalvm/graalvm-demos

   cd graalvm-demos/native-hello-module

For the demo, you will use a simple HelloWorld Java module gathered with Maven:

├── hello
│   └── Main.java
│       > package hello;
│       > 
│       > public class Main {
│       >     public static void main(String[] args) {
│       >         System.out.println("Hello from Java Module: "
│       >             + Main.class.getModule().getName());
│       >     }
│       > }
│
└── module-info.java
    > module HelloModule {
    >     exports hello;
    > }

1. Compile and package the project with Maven:

   $JAVA_HOME/bin/mvn package

   This creates a JAR file with all dependencies embedded: target/HelloModule-1.0-SNAPSHOT.jar

2. Test running it on GraalVM’s JDK:

   $JAVA_HOME/bin/java --module-path target/HelloModule-1.0-SNAPSHOT.jar --module HelloModule

   You should see the next output:

   Hello from Java Module: HelloModule
   

3. Build this module into a native executable:

   $JAVA_HOME/bin/native-image --module-path target/HelloModule-1.0-SNAPSHOT.jar --module HelloModule

   It builds the modular Java application into a native executable called hellomodule in the project root. Run it:

   ./hellomodule 

   You should see the same output:

   Hello from Java Module: HelloModule
   

• Learn more how you can access resources for a Java module at run time.