how to compile java with multiple files using command line

Question

I am pretty new to Java and Linux. I can't use an IDE but i have jdk installed (obviously). I have three .java files that i want to compile. One is the main code file and two small classes. how do i compile them using terminal? these files are called:

main.java

object.java (Object.class when compiled)

living.java (Living.class when compiled)

object.java and living.java only have a constructor for now that i want to call

i've tried

javac main.java #this seems to be the right one
javac main.java object.java living.java
javac main.java Object.class Living.class

in terminal and

import object.java;
import living.java;

import Object.class;
import Living.class;

import object;
import living;

import Object;
import Living;

in the main.java file

but nothing seems to work

when i use

import Living;

in the code it tells me that it misses a ; or .

, when using precompiled

import Living.class

in the code i get

error: class, interface, or enum expected
import <Object.class>;

in the terminal and when i try

import living.java

in the code i get

error: package living does not exist
import living.java;

in terminal

so what am i doing wrong? do i have to import precompiled classes or java codefiles? do i have to tell javac all files i want to use or only the main.java file? main.java compiles without error when i don't try to import one of the classes. And if i have to use .jar files please explain and give an example

Note that if all three classes are in the same package, you don't need to import them in your code. — Arnaud
– Arnaud, Commented Apr 2, 2019 at 7:07

SirFartALot · Accepted Answer · 2019-04-02 08:03:16Z

1

Your file name has to match the class name, e.g. if you have a class Living {... your file name has to be named Living.java. Be aware of the same character casing here. If you use package xyz; in Living.java, you also have to place your file in the subdirectory xyz (e.g. xyz/Living.java).

Importing is to be done by import Living;, with the same case. On using package xyz; in your Living.java, you have to use import xyz.Living;. Classes within the same package doesn't need to be imported.

You compile your files by using javac Living.java or with package javac xyz/Living.java. The javac will produce the Living.class/xyz/Living.class file.

Same with Main.java.

To run a classes main method, you have to run the java executable with the class name, which contains the static void main(...) method, e.g. java Main (or java xyz.Main if Main has a package xyz;).

Never create an Object.java, since Object is already reserved...

BTW: maybe you follow one of the many tutorials available online, to get a first glance on java...

edited Apr 2, 2019 at 8:03

answered Apr 2, 2019 at 7:12

SirFartALot

1,2257 silver badges25 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

fly_over_32 Over a year ago

first of all thanks for your answer but @Arnaud already commented the answer. i don't have to use import and that works. Then all tutorials online tell me to use an IDE. And yes, for bigger projects i will keep in mind to avoid Object as a class and give file.java and file.class the same name

fly_over_32 · Accepted Answer · 2019-04-02 07:19:18Z

0

as @Arnaud commented: "Note that if all three classes are in the same package, you don't need to import them in your code"

i don't need to import these classes in this case and leaving import away works.

answered Apr 2, 2019 at 7:19

fly_over_32

797 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

how to compile java with multiple files using command line

2 Answers 2

1 Comment

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

1 Comment

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related