A query about main method

**mew** · 12-23-2007, 07:59 AM

I understand that main method is the point, from where the program execution starts. Makes a lot of sense. If I have a package, can that package have 2 classes with main methods defined? If yes, from where the execution will start as there are 2 execution points now. Please briefly explain.

**hardwired** · 12-23-2007, 06:30 PM

If I have a package, can that package have 2 classes with main methods defined?
Yes. You can put/have a main method in any class. This is a way to allow testing of a class.
If yes, from where the execution will start as there are 2 execution points now.
The jvm looks for a class in a file with the public modifier and a main method for/at startup. The name of the source file, the (exact same) name of the class in the file that has the public modifier and that has a main method is the starting point. This classes main method will be the starting point.
In packages you usually have each class in a separate file. If a file has multiple outer classes then you may have only one outer class with the public modifier in a file.
In java, let's say I have a class "SkyScraper" and run it with "java ScyScraper" at the prompt. Then the jvm looks in the SkyScraper.class file for

Java Code:

public class SkyScraper {
    ...
    /** The jvm looks for this as the starting point. */
    public void main(String[] args) {
        ...
    }
}

class WindowWasher {

}