Embedding an icon in a Linux executable

Question

I have written an application in Java and succesfully compiled it using gcj.

In (X)ubuntu\'s File Manager, my application appears with the default Linux executable

Answer 1

You cannot use ~ userhome, . here, .. up in file paths in desktop files. You must give the complete filepath from / root.
OR
Add all the pertinent filepaths to the $PATH environment variable, then just give the filenames in the desktop entries, e.g.:

Exec=MyJavaApp
Icon=MyJavaPic.png

Answer 2

Executables on Linux do not have icons embedded (try to point your file manager to /usr/bin). What you have seen is probably a Desktop Entry. That's a text file describing the icon, program name and the executable.

Answer 3

On Ubuntu:

mouse right click the icon you don't like -> Properties -> in the opened window click the icon -> choose an icon you want