Console Problem

[Eleky]

Hello,

Since I'm starting to get bored with the Internet languages (HTML, PHP etc.) i started to learn Java.
To do so i'm using a Dutch book ("En dan is er Java") which is going pretty well up till now.

But i just ran into a problem.
The book started with using JFrame, and i had no problems with using it.
But at this point it switches to not using any user interface, the console screen (black thingy).
He writes on it with:

System.out.println("Random text");

According to the book this should give the black command/console screen, but on my computer it doesn't.
I use NetBeans, and it does show the text (Random text) in the output on the bottom of the screen, but i don't get a black screen.
Does anyone know why i don't get the black screen, or is there another way to get this screen?

Gr

[DarrylBurke]

You won't get a command prompt when running the code from your IDE.

is there another way to get this screen?

Open a command prompt and run your Java class from there.

db

[pbrockway2]

There are step by step instructions for this in Oracle's Tutorial - it is probably a good resource to accompany the book you are reading.

[Eleky]

You won't get a command prompt when running the code from your IDE.


Open a command prompt and run your Java class from there.

db

So it doesn't have anything to do with me doing something wrong?
It just that the writer of the book doesn't use an IDE but uses notepad (for example)?

There are step by step instructions for this in Oracle's Tutorial - it is probably a good resource to accompany the book you are reading.

Thanks, i tried to do so, but couldn't really get the path right.
But if it isn't a major problem i'm just not going to run in in the command screen.

[Tolls]

Being able to run Java code at a command prompt is quite an important step, since it ensures you understand the concept of classpaths in Java.
Misunderstanding classpaths is the root of many of the basic bugs we see here, largely because people have learnt using IDEs which hide that side of things from the user.

[Eleky]

Well, i tried and got the right path.
But when i try to run an java file he doesn't know what to do with it.

[Tolls]

You can't run a java file.
You have to compile it first.

[Eleky]

Okay, i'm trying to do so right now.
But i got the following:

C:\USERS\NAME dir

This shows a list with everything in it, one of these things is the directory Documents.
But somehow i can't open Documents, when i try: C:\USERS\NAME\DOCUMENTS dir it says it can't find it or something

[Tolls]

cd is the change directory command.
so 'cd documents'.

ETA: Indeed this is all in the link provided above by pbrockway2.
It leads you by the hand (at least on an XP box).

[Eleky]

I know, and tried it but i get an error that the directory is invalid.
I don't know why this is happening, because the directory does exist as i check with the "dir"

I BTW blacked out my name, and also deleted my dirs, but it's the same everywhere

[Tolls]

Just do 'cd documents', since you're already in the directory containing the 'Documents' directory.

[Eleky]

I tried, but it gives the same error (Invalid directory)

[Tolls]

Then I have no idea what's wrong with your system.

[Eleky]

Well, then im just going to skip this part.
My question has been answered, so i think the topic is then pretty much done

[DarrylBurke]

You're opening a command prompt via Command.com. That probably doesn't recognize Windows' long names, so Documents would be DOCUME~1 (or possibly ~2 / ~3 etc.

Try opening the command prompt via cmd.exe, that probably recognizes long names.

db

[Tolls]

They're on Windows 7, where it's just 'Documents'.
Microsoft shifted everything around.
And it works with both command.com and command.exe (just tried).

[DarrylBurke]

it works with both command.com and command.exe (just tried).

Oh. They seem to have 'upgraded' Command.com for Win7.

btw you did mean cmd.exe, didn't you?

db

[Tolls]

Oh yes.
Whoops.