[SOLVED] Mulitple main methods

[MuslimCoder]

I am preparing for a test on java tommorow and came across this question. I just wanted to ask why it only goes through the normal "main(String args[])" method instead of the other one??

10. What will happen if you compile/run the following code?

1: public class Q11
2: {
3: static String str1 = "main method with String[] args";
4: static String str2 = "main method with int[] args";
5:
6: public static void main(String[] args)
7: {
8: System.out.println(str1);
9: }
10:
11: public static void main(int[] args)
12: {
13: System.out.println(str2);
14: }
15: }

A) Duplicate method main(), compilation error at line 6.
B) Duplicate method main(), compilation error at line 11.
C) Prints "main method with main String[] args".
D) Prints "main method with main int[] args".

[imaginationac]

Why don't you just try it out to see yourself?

[neilcoffey]

The answer is essentially "because it does". The VM always looks for a method with the exact following signature:

public static void main(String[] args)

It isn't enough just to call the method "main": it must take precisely the right arguments (an array of Strings).

[Steve11235]

To expand on what Neil said, a method can be "overloaded". That means the same method name can be defined with different parameters. This is a *feature* of Java, and of all Object Oriented languages. The parameter types, taken together, are called the method's "signature".

public static void main(String[] anyFieldNameAtAll) {}

is a special method called the "entry method". A class with an entry method must be specified when the JVM is started, so the JVM knows what code to begin executing.

[MuslimCoder]

imaginationac :

Why don't you just try it out to see yourself?

How about you learn to read and understand questions first before replying???

[Steve11235]

Doh! I have to admit, the original post did imply the the OP knew the answer; they wanted to know "why"...

[MK12]

If this is solved, please use Thread Tools -> Mark As Solved so everyone knows.