I want to be able to share my application with other people, but can't figure out how to package it / export it so that other people can also use it. I know I can use its jar, but that requires some use of Command Prompt. How would I export properly to make it run as a desktop app/web app?
Web app framework
Vaadin is a framework for building web apps. Applications created with the framework are supposed to be distributed via Internet (accessible via a web browser).
In brief details, the process can be described as:
- Once you have developed an application, you should deploy it to a Servlet container, such as Tomcat, Jetty, and so on. Application should be packaged in production mode. This ensures minification and bundling of the front-end resources. You end up with an artifact to deploy, either a WAR file or an EAR file.
- Obtain a server on the network or internet. Either:
- Buy space from a hosting provider such as a Heroku or DigitalOcean.
- Provide your own server hardware.
- Install the Tomcat there if there is not one.
- For example, look at this article, for a example : How To Install Apache Tomcat 8 on Ubuntu 16.04 and Configuring WAR Deployment with the Heroku CLI)
- Once your web container is started, you users will be available to use your application via the IP address your server has. In case you want to have a dedicated name, you can buy a domain name.
Progressive web application (PWA)
Another aspect, is that you can develop your web application as a progressive web application (PWA). Still, the application runs in the browser, but an icon prompt for installing software will be added to your main page(in the browser). A user can click it and the application will be installed. But to do that you have to follow the requirements listed here : Application installation requirement
But, generally, Vaadin is not the right tool, if you want to create applications that are installed locally. I am also wondering, where you have found information that it can be installed? :)