Clean Build Java Command Line

Question

I am compiling my project written using eclipse using the command line as follows

javac file.java

And then to run:

java file (args here)

How would I run a clean build, or compilation? Whenever I recompile, the changes are not getting affected unless I delete all the .class files and recompile. Please note that the the main file will call other classes too.

Thanks

Is there a reason you're compiling by hand at the command line if you've got your project in eclipse already?? — Paolo
– Paolo, Commented Sep 7, 2011 at 20:09
Eclipse isn't taking the file name in the argument. It keeps saying file not found. — darksky
– darksky, Commented Sep 7, 2011 at 20:11

Jon Skeet · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-07 20:07:03Z

4

You should compile all the Java files in your application to be sure, basically.

Options include:

Use a full build system such as Ant.
On a Unix box, use something like:
```
javac `find . -name '*.java'`
```
assuming you don't have too many (or use xargs if necessary).
If you're not using packages (and you really should be) you can just use:
```
javac *.java
```

answered Sep 7, 2011 at 20:07

Jon Skeet

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3 Comments

darksky Over a year ago

Oh yeah - that is the problem.. I am running Mac OS X. I used your code above and it didn't work. How do I compile all .java files in a directory?

Dilum Ranatunga Over a year ago

Also, it is a good idea to write all your output to a target directory, using the -d command line option. Deleting old content is then as simple as deleting all content in the target directory.

Ted Hopp Over a year ago

If OP isn't using packages, and all the .java files are in the same directory, just use javac *.java. It's simpler, and it has the advantage of working on platforms that don't have back-tick substitution and/or the find command.

Gaurav Agarwal · Accepted Answer · 2020-03-03 19:04:28Z

2

Here's how I handle this.

rm $(find . -name "*.class")
javac <MainClass>.java
java <MainClass>

It's a simple trick that removes all files ending with the extension ".class". When you compile with javac, it will compile all the files again without you having to worry about directory structure either.

In case you are on windows you can get the alternative for find here.

answered Mar 3, 2020 at 19:04

Gaurav Agarwal

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