This article discusses how to increase the Java heap size (the amount of memory allocated to a Java process), including but not limited to cases when a Java exception, similar to the following error message, is encountered:

Exception in thread...java.lang.OutOfMemoryError: Java heap space

This issue could also manifest itself in the build debug output or build log with an error similar to one of the following errors:

<Win32VMCD output="Windows" status="FAILURE">Error Generating the Win32 with VM Installer.</Win32VMCD>

Build failure: Installer Build has failed due to an Out of Memory condition.

Build failure. 
Reason: Installer Build has failed due to an Out of Memory condition.

This type of issue could occur during the launching/running of the IDE itself, running of an installer/uninstaller built with InstallAnywhere, or launching of a LaunchAnywhere launcher for a Java application. This issue is caused by the Java process having insufficient memory allocated. Hence, the resolution would be to increase the initial/minimum and maximum Java heap size, which is the memory allocated to the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).

1. Close the InstallAnywhere IDE.

2. Navigate to the main InstallAnywhere installation directory.

3. Open the InstallAnywhere.lax file in a text editor.

4. Find the following lines:

lax.nl.java.option.java.heap.size.initial=[amount]
lax.nl.java.option.java.heap.size.max=[amount]

5. Specify the new memory size, which should be appropriate for the available amount of system resources, in bytes.

6. Save the InstallAnywhere .lax file.

7. Open/launch the InstallAnywhere IDE.

Note: After performing these steps, if the issue persists, the incorrect LAX file may have been edited. The InstallAnywhere.lax file is the properties file for the InstallAnywhere IDE. The build.lax file is for the command-line builder corresponding to the build command. On Windows, the build-as-invoker.lax file is for the command-line builder corresponding to the build-as-invoker.exe command. Please make sure to update the correct LAX file and try building again.

1. Navigate to the Project > Config View > InstallAnywhere VM Heap Size Section.

2. Find the following fields:

Minimum Heap Size:

Maximum Heap Size:

3. Specify the new memory size, which should be appropriate for the available amount of system resources, in bytes.

4. Save the InstallAnywhere project.

1. Navigate to the Project > JVM Settings View > InstallAnywhere VM Heap Size Section.

2. Find the following fields:

Minimum Heap Size:

Maximum Heap Size:

3. Specify the new memory size, which should be appropriate for the available amount of system resources, in bytes.

4. Save the InstallAnywhere project.

1. Navigate to the Install Task View. In the newer versions of InstallAnywhere, navigate to Sequence>Install.

2. In the Visual Tree, expand the uninstaller directory, named _$PRODUCT_NAME$_installation by default:

3. Select the Create Uninstaller Action for the uninstaller LaunchAnywhere launcher, named Change $PRODUCT_NAME$ Installation by default.

4. Click the Edit Properties button, in the Properties View of the Create Uninstaller Action.

5. Find or add the following properties:

lax.nl.java.option.java.heap.size.initial=[amount]
lax.nl.java.option.java.heap.size.max=[amount]

6. For each property, specify the new memory size, which should be appropriate for the available amount of system resources, in bytes.

7. Click the OK button.

8. Save the project.

1. Navigate to the Install Task View. In the newer versions of InstallAnywhere, navigate to Sequence>Install

2. Select the Create LaunchAnywhere for Java Application icon in the Visual Tree.

3. Click the Edit Properties button, in the Properties View of the LaunchAnywhere Action.

4. Find or add the following properties:

lax.nl.java.option.java.heap.size.initial=[amount]
lax.nl.java.option.java.heap.size.max=[amount]

5. For each property, specify the new memory size, which should be appropriate for the available amount of system resources, in bytes.

6. Click the OK button.

7. Save the project.

Note: A LaunchAnywhere launcher is a proprietary InstallAnywhere bootstrapper, similar but not identical in nature to a shortcut, to launch a Java-based application. A LaunchAnywhere launcher is a platform-native executable for launching a Java application (also known as a LAX executable). This LAX executable allows Java applications to be launched as if they were platform-native. For example, the LaunchAnywhere executable can be launched by double-clicking the icon or by being called directly from the command-line.

On Windows, InstallAnywhere appends .exe to the file. On macOS and OS X, it creates a .app package.

A LaunchAnywhere executable is also responsible for invoking the Java runtime, setting the environment for the Java application, and passing any command-line arguments that may be required by the application.

For more information regarding LaunchAnywhere launchers, refer to the Additional Information section.

For more information regarding InstallAnywhere LaunchAnywhere launchers, refer to the Creating Launchers for Java Applications article.

For more information regarding logging an InstallAnywhere installer/uninstaller to determine whether a Java exception/error occurred, refer to Generating InstallAnywhere Log for Install and Uninstall with InstallAnywhere and Generating InstallAnywhere Log for Install, Uninstall, and Build in InstallAnywhere 2011 And Later.