Java Main Method

Several times junior mates at IIT, who just started Java, asked me to explain the signature of the Java main method.

The signature:

Code:

public static void main(String[] cArgs);

I am trying to explain each word separately.

public:

public is one of the four (unlike C++, where it is three) access modifier. By declaring something public, you are telling that the code-block can be accessed from outside the class. Main is the point to start execution. So, it must be accessed by the compiler directly from outside. If you declare main something other than public the source will successfully compiled. But if you try to run, the compiler will reply:

Code:

Main method not public

static:

The big question I always had and I am asked several times. static methods or variables are those, which are instantiated before any objects are instantiated. On the other hand we can say, If anything is required to be instantiated before any objects have been instantiated, you need to declare it static.

Now, as main is the entering point of a program, it must be called before any thing else has happend. So, you have to make it static. Otherwise compiler will say,

Code:

Exception in thread "main" Java.lang.NoSuchMethodError: main

void:

This is the return type. Java main() does not return anything. So, the return type is void.

cArgs:

This is the command line argument. The type is array of String. Beginners, please note that cArgs is just a variable name. You can use anything you like. If you know C/C++, you may know that command line argument is optional there, but that is not true in case of Java.

If you need to learn about command line argument. You can consult here.

Nice one
However, I think cArgs is somewhat confusing to beginners.
Though it is a variable name, most of the time people use args[] .


Anyway, very informative post Mohaimin

BIT0122-Amit wrote:
However, I think cArgs is somewhat confusing to beginners.
Though it is a variable name, most of the time people use args[] .

It was intentional, to attract beginners' attention. Many beginners' think it is fixed to args.

Hmm.... then maybe you should explain in the later part of title post that... they should use args

I have a question, Can the main( ) method be specified as private or protected? if, how?
I think, it should be, I have an idea how to do this. What do you think?

"static methods or variables are those, which are instantiated before any objects are instantiated. On the other hand we can say, If anything is required to be instantiated before any objects have been instantiated, you need to declare it static."
What does it mean?

how things are done actually, give a read, though, It may seem complicated to you.
http://onjava.com/pub/a/onjava/2005/01/26/classloading.html?page=1

BIT0112-Rokon wrote:I have a question, Can the main( ) method be specified as private or protected? if, how?
I think, it should be, I have an idea how to do this. What do you think?

I think you can do that, but Java will not recognize the method as the starting point of the application. Not sure though.