In Java, the main
method serves as the entry point for a Java program. When a Java program is executed, the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) starts by invoking the main
method. Let’s explore some key aspects of the main
method.
The main
method has a specific signature: public static void main(String[] args)
. Here’s what each part means:
public
: It indicates that themain
method is accessible from anywhere.static
: It means that themain
method belongs to the class itself, not to any specific instance of the class.void
: It specifies that themain
method doesn’t return any value.String[] args
: It represents the command-line arguments passed to the Java program.
The code inside the main
method is where the program’s logic resides. It can perform various tasks, such as initializing variables, calling methods, and controlling the program flow. The args
parameter allows you to access the command-line arguments if needed.
To run a Java program, you compile the source code into bytecode using the Java compiler (javac
) and then execute it using the Java interpreter (java
). The interpreter locates the main
method and starts the program execution from there.
The main
method is crucial for running Java applications, and it plays a significant role in command-line programs, standalone applications, and even web applications when combined with frameworks like Spring Boot.
Remember that a Java program can have multiple main
methods, but only the one with the exact signature mentioned above (public static void main(String[] args)
) will be recognized as the entry point.
Understanding the main
method is essential for starting your Java programming journey and building executable Java programs.