Writing Your First Java Program

Writing your first Java program is a simple yet essential step in getting started with Java programming. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating and running a basic "Hello, World!" program:

Step 1: Install Java Development Kit (JDK)

Before you can write and run Java programs, you need to install the Java Development Kit (JDK) on your computer. Refer to the instructions provided earlier for installing the JDK.

Step 2: Set Up Your Development Environment

Choose an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) or a text editor for writing Java code. You can use IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, or NetBeans, or simply use a text editor like Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code.

Step 3: Write the Java Program

Open your chosen development environment and create a new Java source file with a `.java` extension. Then, write the following Java code:

public class HelloWorld {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        System.out.println("Hello, World!");

    }

}

Step 4: Save the File

Save the Java source file with the name `HelloWorld.java`.

Step 5: Compile the Java Program

Open a terminal or command prompt and navigate to the directory where you saved the `HelloWorld.java` file. Then, compile the Java source file using the `javac` command:

javac HelloWorld.java

If there are no syntax errors in your code, this command will generate a bytecode file named `HelloWorld.class`.

Step 6: Run the Java Program

After successfully compiling the Java program, you can run it using the `java` command:

java HelloWorld

This command will execute the `main` method in the `HelloWorld` class and print "Hello, World!" to the console.

Step 7: View Output

Once you run the Java program, you should see the output "Hello, World!" printed to the console.

Congratulations! You've written and executed your first Java program!

This simple "Hello, World!" program demonstrates the basic structure of a Java program. You define a class (`HelloWorld`) with a `main` method, which serves as the entry point of the program. Inside the `main` method, you use the `System.out.println` method to print the message "Hello, World!" to the console.

Feel free to experiment with the code and explore more Java programming concepts as you continue learning.