HaQT Fundamental Programming
Launching Single-File Source-Code Programs
1 Single-File Source-Code Program Execution
In JDK 11, Java introduced the ability to launch a single-file source-code program with the
java launcher, without first needing to explicitly compile the source code. This works by the
java launcher automatically invoking the compiler and storing the compiled code in-memory.
This can be a great way to learn how to use Java or explore new features within the Java
API, without having to go through the cruft of compiling and then executing code. There
are several ways to use this feature, as well as some limitations and things to keep in mind.
2 Executing Your First Single-File Source-Code Pro-
gram
To execute a single-file source-code program, the first class defined in the source file must
contain public static void main(String[]) like in HelloWorld below:
1 p u b l i c c l a s s HelloWorld {
p u b l i c s t a t i c v o i d main ( S t r i n g [ ] a r g s ) {
3 System . out . p r i n t l n ( ” H e l l o World ! ” ) ;
}
5 }
From the command line, HelloWorld can be launched with (accepting the name of the file is
also [Link]):
Command window
1 $ j a v a HelloWorld . j a v a
Passing in Arguments
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HaQT Fundamental Programming
Arguments can also be passed in like with a normally compiled class, so in the below:
1 public c l a s s HelloJava {
p u b l i c s t a t i c v o i d main ( S t r i n g [ ] a r g s ) {
3 System . out . p r i n t l n ( ” H e l l o ” + a r g s [ 0 ] ) ;
}
5 }
Passing in an argument can be done like this:
Command window
1 $ j a v a H e l l o J a v a . j a v a World !
3 Multiple Classes in Same File
Multiple classes can be defined within the same source file if needed for encapsulation pur-
poses, like in this example:
1 public c l a s s MultipleClassesInSameFile {
p u b l i c s t a t i c v o i d main ( S t r i n g [ ] a r g s ) {
3 System . out . p r i n t l n ( GenerateMessage . g e n e r a t e M e s s a g e ( ) ) ;
System . out . p r i n t l n ( AnotherMessage . g e n e r a t e A n o t h e r M e s s a g e ( ) ) ;
5 }
}
7
c l a s s GenerateMessage {
9 s t a t i c String generateMessage ( ) {
r e t u r n ” Here i s one message ” ;
11 }
}
13
c l a s s AnotherMessage {
15 s t a t i c S t r i n g generateAnotherMessage ( ) {
r e t u r n ” Here i s a n o t h e r message ” ;
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HaQT Fundamental Programming
17 }
}
When executed:
Command window
$ java MultipleClassesInSameFile . java
Will output:
Command window
1 Here i s one message
Here i s a n o t h e r message
4 Reference JDK Classes and Non-JDK Classes
A class that is part of the core JDK does not need to be added to the classpath to be executed.
So this example, referencing the Scanner and MatchResult classes, can be executed simply
with the java launcher:
import j a v a . u t i l . Scanner ;
2 import j a v a . u t i l . r e g e x . MatchResult ;
4 p u b l i c c l a s s ScannerExample {
p u b l i c s t a t i c v o i d main ( S t r i n g . . . a r g s ) {
6 S t r i n g wordsAndNumbers = ” ” ”
Longing r u s t e d f u r n a c e
8 daybreak 17 b e n i g n
9 homecoming 1
10 f r e i g h t car
””” ;
12
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HaQT Fundamental Programming
t r y ( Scanner s c a n n e r = new Scanner ( wordsAndNumbers ) ) {
14 s c a n n e r . f i n d A l l ( ” b e n i g n ” ) . map( MatchResult : : group ) . f o r E a c h ( System .
,→ out : : p r i n t l n ) ;
}
16 }
}
To launch:
Command window
1 $ j a v a ScannerExample . j a v a
However the below example referencing RandomUtils, part of the Apache Commons Lang,
will need to have the [Link] added to the classpath at launch:
1 import o r g . apache . commons . l a n g 3 . RandomUtils ;
3 p u b l i c c l a s s ReferenceNonJDKClass {
p u b l i c s t a t i c v o i d main ( S t r i n g [ ] a r g s ) {
5 System . out . p r i n t l n ( RandomUtils . n e x t I n t ( ) ) ;
}
7
To launch:
Command window
java =cp / path / t o /commons=lang3 =3.12.0. jar ReferenceNonJDKClass . j a v a
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HaQT Fundamental Programming
5 Executing as a Shebang File
On a Unix-like operating system, a single-file source-code application, can also be launched
as a shebang file like a script. Within the a java source file, as the first line in the file add
path/to/java/home –source <version> like in the below example:
Command window
1 #!/ path / t o / your / b i n / j a v a - - s o u r c e 16
3 public c l a s s HelloJava {
p u b l i c s t a t i c v o i d main ( S t r i n g [ ] a r g s ) {
5 System . out . p r i n t l n ( ” H e l l o ” + a r g s [ 0 ] ) ;
}
7 }
The file cannot have .java as its file extension, and must also be executable chmod +x. With
that, it can be launched with:
Command window
1 ./ HelloJava