Compiling multiple jar and java files using javac

Question

I downloaded a sample code written in java that has multiple jar files and java files. I am not a Java programmer so I am having a hard time compiling the code. Here's my attempt:

javac -classpath lib/*.jar src/*.java

However this is what I get:

javac: invalid flag: lib/dom4j-1.6.1.jar
Usage: javac <options> <source files>
use -help for a list of possible options

What's wrong with my approach and how can I compile the code? ALl the jar files are located in the lib folder, and the java files in the src folder.

I suggest you use an IDE to do this for you. An IDE is design to make editing, compiling, running, and debugging easier etc. — Peter Lawrey
– Peter Lawrey, Commented May 18, 2015 at 22:42
You could try Netbeans, Eclipse or IntelliJ CE. They are all free and different benefits. — Peter Lawrey
– Peter Lawrey, Commented May 18, 2015 at 22:46

Stephen C · Accepted Answer · 2015-05-18 22:47:18Z

14

You need to stop the shell from globbing the wild-card in lib/*.jar by escaping it.

Also, you need to remove the .jar suffix ... because that's how classpath wildcards work; see Oracle's "Setting the classpath" document.

So ...

javac -classpath lib/\* src/*.java

Using an IDE is another option. However, if all you want to do is compile and run, then downloading and installing and learning to use an IDE is overkill (IMO). And the flipside is that it is good for an IDE-using Java programmer to also understand how to compile and run from the shell prompt ...

edited May 18, 2015 at 22:47

answered May 18, 2015 at 22:39

Stephen C

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2 Comments

Luis Cruz Over a year ago

Thank you! Do you have to call the lib files to run the compiled program to? or should I just run java main.java?

Stephen C Over a year ago

"Do you have to call the lib files to run the compiled program to?" - You need to include them on the runtime classpath ... along with the Java compiler output directory. This is all described in the manual entries, and I would encourage you to read them.

Som · Accepted Answer · 2020-05-30 03:05:28Z

3

old post, but thought below details help, you can specify jar files by separating by ; in windows and : in unix

Eg: (windows)

javac -cp first.jar;second.jar;third.jar YourClass.java

(unix)

javac -cp first.jar:second.jar:third.jar YourClass.java

Source: https://gullele.com/pass-all-the-jars-in-classpath-when-compiling-java/

answered May 30, 2020 at 3:05

Som

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