How to compile a .java file on Ubuntu?

To compile the file, open your terminal and type

javac filename.java

To run the generated class file, use

java filename

But to do this you need to have the Java JDK installed in your computer. You can install it with the instructions in How do I install Java?.

OpenJDK works best for me. It's simple and I have never faced any problem with it. Just follow these simple steps:

1. From Terminal install open jdk

   sudo apt-get install openjdk-7-jdk
   

2. Write a java program and save the file as filename.java

3. Now to compile use this command from the terminal

   javac filename.java
   

   If everything works well then a new "filename.class" file should be created.

4. To run your program that you've just compiled type the command below in terminal:

   java filename
   

NOTE

You can use any text editor (like gedit) ,

replace the filename with watever name you want

you need to be on same directory as the "present working directory" (got by running pwd) while running the command from terminal.

If for example your file is my_file.java:

class MyClass
{
    public static void main(String[] args)
     {
       System.out.println("Hello World");
     }
}

You want to do:

javac my_file.java

and then

java MyClass # The name of the class, not file

However, it is a common convention to give classes and files the same name.

You need to install a JDK, Java Development Kit. Ubuntu contains a metapackage default-jdk, which depends on currently prefered JDK. Now it is openjdk-6-jdk.

To compile a Java file to runnable .class file you can run

javac filename.java

and run it

java file

It is the most simple use-case and mostly it doesn't work because java classes mostly depends on other java classes placed in libraries.

So you would probably like to use some more sophisticated solutions. Most text editors supports Java syntax highlighting, for example jEdit, kate or vim, but they don't solve your compilation issue.

You have another option - you can install a full featured Java IDE. Ubuntu comes with both main OpenSource Java IDEs - NetBeans and Eclipse.