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OK, so the problem that I am having is that whenever I type javac into the cmd prompt, it doesn't compile the file I specified. I have a couple if question to help my understanding of what it actually does.

-can you compile jar files? If so, what will it do.

-if you type a basic hello world program in a text editor, such as vim, what do you save it as? Hello world . class, hello world.java, hello world.txt?

-if you have a text file, class file, or Java file correctly formatted, how do you compile it CORRECTLY?

-do you have to specify a class or file in your program? (public class example{})

-how is vim really that different than cmd prompt?

Some help would be greatly appreciated.

Peter_Browning
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1 Answers1

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I will be going through your questions one at a time:

  1. It doesn't make sense to compile .jar files... You can only run them.

  2. Save it as HelloWorld.java, and HelloWorld.class will be created once you compile it. Avoid using spaces in file names as much as possible, it will make things easier.

  3. First navigate to the source folder which contains the file using cd commands, then type javac ExampleProject.java. Obviously you would replace "ExampleProject" with the correct name.

  4. If you want to do something meaningful, then you have to declare a class. I don't think a file with only import statements would do much good :P

  5. VIM is a text editor for writing your code; Command Prompt is used for the computer's administrative functions and executing batch files.

Let me know if you need additional clarification.

deezy
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  • So does it matter what class you declare in the program? Does it have to be the same as the file name? – Peter_Browning Aug 01 '15 at 23:06
  • A java file can contain one public class, and its name should be the same as the file's. [Here's some info.](http://beginwithjava.blogspot.com/2011/01/javas-file-names-and-class-names.html) – deezy Aug 01 '15 at 23:09
  • @Peter_Browning Do you still need any help? – deezy Aug 02 '15 at 00:03
  • Actually yes, there is a program out there called git bash. I am not sure exactly as to what this is supposed to do, or what it can do, but any insight would be appreciated – Peter_Browning Aug 02 '15 at 02:35
  • Git is a popular version control system, and Git Bash is a shell program where `git` is a known command. If you would like to get a more detailed response from the community, please accept this answer with the check mark and ask a new question. – deezy Aug 02 '15 at 02:45