To execute a Java program, follow these steps:
- Write the Java Code:
- Create a file with a
.java
extension, e.g.,MyProgram.java
. - Ensure the class name matches the file name (case-sensitive) and includes a
main
method. Example:java public class MyProgram { public static void main(String[] args) { System.out.println("Hello, World!"); } }
- Install Java:
- Ensure the Java Development Kit (JDK) is installed. Check by running
java -version
andjavac -version
in a terminal or command prompt. - If not installed, download and install the JDK from Oracle or use an open-source version like OpenJDK.
- Compile the Program:
- Open a terminal or command prompt.
- Navigate to the directory containing your
.java
file usingcd path/to/directory
. - Compile the code using the
javac
command:javac MyProgram.java
- This generates a
.class
file (e.g.,MyProgram.class
) if there are no errors.
- Run the Program:
- Execute the compiled program using the
java
command:java MyProgram
- Note: Do not include the
.class
extension in the command. - The program’s output (e.g.,
Hello, World!
) will appear in the terminal.
- Handle Errors (if any):
- Compilation errors: Check the code for syntax issues (e.g., missing semicolons, incorrect class name).
- Runtime errors: Ensure the class name matches the file name, and the
.class
file exists. - Environment issues: Verify the JDK is correctly installed and the
JAVA_HOME
environment variable is set if needed.
- Optional – Use an IDE:
- Tools like IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, or VS Code simplify writing, compiling, and running Java programs with built-in buttons or commands (e.g., “Run” button).
If your program uses external libraries or packages, ensure they’re included in the classpath during compilation and execution (e.g., javac -cp . MyProgram.java
and java -cp . MyProgram
).