Compiling/Running in Command Prompt

[coke_in_a_can]

Hi,

I am trying to compile and run a java program from the command prompt, and I'm running into one problem after another. I've searched the net as well as this forum and haven't found a solution just yet.

I have windows 7, and a program saved as "practice.java". My command prompt reads:

C:\Users\gateway pc>

To compile, I've typed "javac practice.java", which is saved in a folder titled "Java Files".

When entered, I receive the error message:

javac: file not found: practice.java
Usage: javac <options> <source files>
use -help for a list of possible options

I've tried creating a classpath, and I've tried redefining the value of the path variable, but nothing seems to work. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

[m00nchile]

Java is case sensitive, are you sure you file isn't named Practice.java?

[coke_in_a_can]

Thanks for the fast reply.

Yes, I double-checked. All characters are lowercase.

[m00nchile]

Ah, I just skimmed through your post, just now I see you're trying to compile the file from a different folder. This doesn't work, to compile, you'll still need to navigate to the directory that contains the file, or specify the path, like this:

c:> javac c:\java\myprogs\Example.java

The classpath just enables you to run your programs from anywhere, lets say your .class files (compiled files) are in c:\java, if you have your classpath set to that directory, you can do this:

c:> java Example

[coke_in_a_can]

I just tried typing:

C:> javac C:\Users\gateway pc\Desktop\Java Files\practice.java

so that the entire line in the command prompt reads:

C:\Users\gateway pc> C:> javac C:\Users\gateway pc\Desktop\Java Files\practice.java

And there was no response, no errors, no comfirmations... It didn't create a practice.class file as expected.

[gcalvin]

I just tried typing:

C:> javac C:\Users\gateway pc\Desktop\Java Files\practice.java

so that the entire line in the command prompt reads:

C:\Users\gateway pc> C:> javac C:\Users\gateway pc\Desktop\Java Files\practice.java

And there was no response, no errors, no comfirmations... It didn't create a practice.class file as expected.

It probably did. Did you look in C:\Users\gateway pc or in C:\Users\gateway pc\Desktop\Java Files?

-Gary-

[m00nchile]

Yup, if no messages are displayed, that means the compilation was succesfull.

[Norm]

I don't understand how you didn't get something back from the javac command. Can you copy and paste from the command prompt window showing what you did.

When I try a path with a space in a folder name I get this:

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner>javac C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\test.java
javac: invalid flag: C:\Documents
Usage: javac <options> <source files>
where possible options include:
-g Generate all debugging info
-g:none Generate no debugging info
-g:{lines,vars,source} Generate only some debugging info
-nowarn Generate no warnings
-verbose Output messages about what the compiler is doing

[gcalvin]

I don't understand how you didn't get something back from the javac command. Can you copy and paste from the command prompt window showing what you did.

When I try a path with a space in a folder name I get this:

You don't get anything back when compilation is successful.

-Gary-

[Norm]

Have you tried using javac with a path containing a space?
The OPs post shows 2 spaces in the path.

C:\Users\gateway pc> C:> javac C:\Users\gateway pc\Desktop\Java Files\practice.java

[coke_in_a_can]

I really appreciate all the responses.

@ gcalvin & m00nchile

I searched my entire computer for a practice.class file and didn't find anything.

@Norm

Aside from what I've found on the internet thus far, I'm not too familiar with paths or how to change them. I removed the space in the file name containing the practice.java file, so now it is "JavaFiles". Here's my most recent attempt:

C:\Users\gateway pc>javac C:\Users\gateway pc\Desktop\JavaFiles\practice.java

javac: invalid flag: C:\Users\gateway
Usage: javac <options> <source files>
use -help for a list of possible options

[gcalvin]

Yeah, "gateway pc" still has a space in it. Why don't you just cd into the JavaFiles directory before running javac? If you really want to do it your way, you will have to quote the whole path.

-Gary-

[coke_in_a_can]

Yeah, "gateway pc" still has a space in it. Why don't you just cd into the JavaFiles directory before running javac? If you really want to do it your way, you will have to quote the whole path.

-Gary-

I figured out how to do that by trial and error last night... and it worked, haha. I appreciate all the help & suggestions, thanks.