Sorting Input Numbers

Question

I am very new to Java and am trying to write an algorithm to take in three numbers and sort them as a way of practicing algorithm writing. Below is what I have.

package com.company;

public class Sort {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int a = Integer.parseInt(args[0]);
        int b = Integer.parseInt(args[1]);
        int c = Integer.parseInt(args[2]);
        int min, med, max;
    if(Math.max(a, b) == a){
        if(Math.max(a, c) == a){
            max=a;
            if(Math.max(b,c)==b){
                med=b;
                min=c;
            }else{
                med=c;
                min=b;
            }
        }else{
            max=c;
            med=a;
            min=b;
        }
    }else {
        if(Math.max(b,c)==b) {
            max = b;
            if(Math.max(a,c)==a) {
                med = a;
                min = c;
            }else {
                med = c;
                min = a;
            }
        }else{
            max=c;
            med=b;
            min=a;
            }
        }
    }
    }

When I attempt to call this file from the terminal like below I get the following error. What is causing the invalid flag error?

javac Sort.java 1 2 3
error: invalid flag: 1
Usage: javac <options> <source files>
use --help for a list of possible options

Command-line input to your program belongs on the java command, not the javac command. — Kevin Anderson
– Kevin Anderson, Commented Jun 6, 2020 at 4:38
if you are trying to generate the java file class then use javac initially, but yes, for command-line args you need to use java Sort without the .java extension. — Data_Is_Everything
– Data_Is_Everything, Commented Jun 6, 2020 at 4:41

Data_Is_Everything · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-06 05:02:42Z

1

If you want to compile your code, you do ist with javac Sort.java in the console. As you can see, without parameter. In you want run the code, you do it with java Sort 1 2 3. Here you need to use the parameter.

edited Jun 6, 2020 at 5:02

Data_Is_Everything

2,0191 gold badge18 silver badges19 bronze badges

answered Jun 6, 2020 at 4:41

etienneZink

547 bronze badges

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

1 Comment

user2355903 Over a year ago

When running it I actually had to do "java Sort.java 1 2 3", not sure if that's what you meant or not but it appears to be working now.

Karthik Chennupati · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-06 05:04:21Z

0

Command-line arguments are passed when you're invoking the program. In Java, you compile the code with javac command and you invoke the program with java command. So, when you pass arguments when invoking the program, those arguments are passed to the main function.

The error you're seeing is from javac. javac is also a program that expects a java file to compile and some optional flags (for eg, to suppress warnings, etc). javac is not able to recognize 1 as a flag. just say javac Sort.java and it will compile your code. After that, run your program with java command, which itself is also a program that takes a class with optional arguments that are passed to the class while invoking it. So, call your program like java Sort 123

edited Jun 6, 2020 at 5:04

answered Jun 6, 2020 at 4:58

Karthik Chennupati

3654 silver badges17 bronze badges

Comments

Rishabh Ankit · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-06 06:48:19Z

0

First compile your code as you compile any java code :

javac Sort.java

Now pass the command line arguments during run time :

java Sort 1 2 3

edited Jun 6, 2020 at 6:48

answered Jun 6, 2020 at 6:29

Rishabh Ankit

2472 silver badges11 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Sorting Input Numbers

3 Answers 3

1 Comment

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

1 Comment

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related