First Java Program | Hello World Example

In this page, we will learn how to write the simple program of java. We can write a simple hello java program easily after installing the JDK.

To create a simple java program, you need to create a class that contains the main method. Let’s understand the requirement first.

The requirement for Java Hello World Example

Creating Hello World Example

Let’s create the hello java program:

class Simple{  
    public static void main(String args[]){  
     System.out.println("Hello Java");  
    }  
}

save this file as Simple.java

Output:Hello Java

Compilation Flow:

When we compile Java program using javac tool, java compiler converts the source code into byte code.

Parameters used in First Java Program

Let’s see what is the meaning of class, public, static, void, main, String[], System.out.println().

• class keyword is used to declare a class in java.
• public keyword is an access modifier which represents visibility. It means it is visible to all.
• static is a keyword. If we declare any method as static, it is known as the static method. The core advantage of the static method is that there is no need to create an object to invoke the static method. The main method is executed by the JVM, so it doesn’t require to create an object to invoke the main method. So it saves memory.
• void is the return type of the method. It means it doesn’t return any value.
• main represents the starting point of the program.
• String[] args is used for command line argument. We will learn it later.
• System.out.println() is used print statement. We will learn about the internal working of System.out.println statement later.

To write the simple program, you need to open notepad by start menu -> All Programs -> Accessories -> notepad and write a simple program as displayed below:

How many ways can we write a Java program

There are many ways to write a Java program. The modifications that can be done in a Java program are given below:

1) By changing the sequence of the modifiers, method prototype is not changed in Java.

Let’s see the simple code of the main method.

static public void main(String args[])

2) The subscript notation in Java array can be used after type, before the variable or after the variable.

Let’s see the different codes to write the main method.

public static void main(String[] args)  
public static void main(String []args)  
public static void main(String args[])

3) You can provide var-args support to the main method by passing 3 ellipses (dots)

Let’s see the simple code of using var-args in the main method. We will learn about var-args later in Java New Features chapter.

public static void main(String... args)

4) Having a semicolon at the end of class is optional in Java.

Let’s see the simple code.

class A{  
static public void main(String... args){  
System.out.println("hello java4");  
}  
};

Valid java main method signature

public static void main(String[] args)  
public static void main(String []args)  
public static void main(String args[])  
public static void main(String... args)  
static public void main(String[] args)  
public static final void main(String[] args)  
final public static void main(String[] args)  
final strictfp public static void main(String[] args)

Invalid java main method signature

public void main(String[] args)  
static void main(String[] args)  
public void static main(String[] args)  
abstract public static void main(String[] args)

Resolving an error “javac is not recognized as an internal or external command”?

If there occurs a problem like displayed in the below figure, you need to set path. Since DOS doesn’t know javac or java, we need to set path. The path is not required in such a case if you save your program inside the JDK/bin directory. However, it is an excellent approach to set the path. Click here for How to set path in java.