Clean Build Java Command Line

Question

I am compiling my project written using eclipse using the command line as follows

javac file.java

And then to run:

java file (args here)

How would I run a clean build, or compilation? Whenever I recompile, the changes are not getting affected unless I delete all the .class files and recompile. Please note that the the main file will call other classes too.

Thanks

Answer 1

You should compile all the Java files in your application to be sure, basically.

Options include:

• Use a full build system such as Ant.

• On a Unix box, use something like:

   javac `find . -name '*.java'`

  assuming you don't have too many (or use xargs if necessary).

• If you're not using packages (and you really should be) you can just use:

   javac *.java

Answer 2

Here's how I handle this.

rm $(find . -name "*.class")
javac <MainClass>.java
java <MainClass>

It's a simple trick that removes all files ending with the extension ".class". When you compile with javac , it will compile all the files again without you having to worry about directory structure either.

In case you are on windows you can get the alternative for find here.