How to Compile a Java Program

There are two parts to the Java platform, the Java application programming interface, or API, and the Java virtual machine, or JVM. An API is a preset amount of code that can be called from within a program. This saves the programmer programming time. The JVM interprets the code and turns into an application to be used. This allows the code to be used on any computer, instead of just the computers that have the correct software installed.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Open the text editor of your choice.

2. Write the code and create the source file.

3. Save the source file with a .java extension. If the name of your file is Example, then name it Example.java. Save the file as a txt file in the Java folder.

4. Open the command window to get to the command prompt.

5. Find the file you just created. It will be in the Java folder.

6. Compile the code. Type "javac Example.java" without the quotes. Java is case sensitive. So if you capitalized the name of the file, be sure to capitalize it here. Once compiled, you will see a new file has been created in the Java folder named Example.class.