Learning to code with Java can yield some very incredible results, and many of the world’s most popular websites and online platforms have actually been developed using the Java coding language! It is a truly efficient and well-designed coding language.
However, it can be very difficult to get to grips with it, especially as a beginner.
One of the most difficult tasks to pull off while using the Java coding language is to compile all of the data into one collective form.
How do you pull it off in a way that won’t corrupt the data, and what does it actually involve? Let’s find out together. Read on below to get started!
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What Is Compiling?
Compiling within Java refers to taking the readable text from the source code that you have been working with within Java, and then converting that code into bytecodes.
This is a useful thing to do because ordinary readable code within Java can only be read by Java itself. Converting the code into bytecodes converts it into a form that is platform-independent.
Compiling a Java program is crucial in order to be able to run it, and in order for the program to be released online.
How Do You Compile In Java?
Compiling in Java is not too difficult, and just requires a little bit of effort. Let’s get started and find out exactly how you can do it yourself.
Open A Text Editor
The first step is to take all of the code from your Java program and copy and paste it into your text editor.
This ensures that, no matter what, the original source code is still around in some form, so if you encounter any errors, you can still recover your work.
Save that file with any name you choose, and follow that filename with “.java”. This will create a Java file.
Get Compiling
In order to finally get your program compiled, you will need to open up the terminal on your computer. If you are using a Windows computer, then you will need to search in the taskbar for the terminal. If you are on macOS, then you will want to head to the Launchpad screen and find the terminal from there.
Once you have opened the appropriate terminal, you will then want to type the command “javac FirstJavaProgram.java”.
Many Java users have previously reported problems with utilizing this command, saying that it resulted in an error message suggesting that “Javac” is not an internally recognized command.
If this pops up for you, it means that you will need to set up the correct Java path! Don’t worry, because this is very easy to do.
(Optional) Set Up A Java Path
If you are using a Windows computer, then you will want to head to your command terminal, and find where Java is installed on your system. This can be found by heading to the bin directory.
Find the correct path for the version of Java you are using, and then copy and paste the complete version of the path into the command terminal.
If you are using a computer that is operating on macOS, then you will likewise want to open up your terminal, and then type the following command: “export JAVA_HOME=/Library/Java/Home”.
Once you have typed out the command, hit enter, and then, on a new command line, type “echo $JAVA_HOME”. This will cause the terminal to accept the new path!
Once you have created your new path, you can then try compiling the Java data again by following step 2. This should initiate the compiling process as normal!
Run Your Newly Compiled Java Program
Once you have created your new file, you will find that the Java file has been fully converted into bytecode, which can now be run by other programs.
Head to your terminal, type in the name of your new file, and hit enter. This will cause the program to start up.
If you notice any problems, check to make sure that you have not included the “.java” file type in the command via the terminal, as it is not needed there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Compile And Run The Same Thing?
Though you may hear both terms used within very similar contexts, they actually refer to very different things.
Compiling refers to the act of converting original Java source code into an executable form. On the other hand, running refers to the act of actually running the executable itself.
Is Java Compiled Or Interpreted?
The Java coding language can actually skirt the line between both definitions. Before a Java code can be run, it needs to be converted and compiled into byte-code so that it can be read by other programs.
When the byte-code is later read by other programs, it is interpreted by a Java Virtual Machine.
Is Java Easy To Learn?
Though it is difficult to say that any coding language is “easy to learn”, Java is definitely one of the easier coding languages to learn, thanks to the fact that it was designed for beginners, and to make it easy to debug code that is written with it.
To Wrap Up
As you can see, compiling a Java program for use elsewhere is very easy to do, and most of the difficulty that many users face is the fact that, if the correct path is not installed, the compilation process will not initiate.
Luckily, when the correct path is installed, which is easy to do, initiating the compilation process is as simple as entering a command into the terminal, and allowing the system to work its magic.
Once the compilation is completed, it is also equally as easy to execute the program, to ensure that it is running smoothly.
Compiling your Java program is a crucial step in getting your newly coded program out there, and into the hands of users.
It’s easy to do, saves you a lot of trouble, and can make your program accessible. Just make sure to back up your source code before compiling, just in case you do encounter any errors!
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