Running applications on a JVM is often considered a fairly complex topic. As mentioned in the previous chapter, compilers that target a JVM compile their source code to binary files with a .class file extension. There are a few rules that must be followed before you can have a JVM instance run the code inside the .class files:
- At least one class must have a static
main()method - All the class files should be stored in specific directories
- The ClassPath has to be specified
- Class files can optionally be placed inside a JAR archive container
- To run the program, the
javacommand is used
We will take a quick look at each rule. Then, to demonstrate these concepts as clearly as possible, we will be doing a hands-on demonstration project in Java.