Can Java program run without the Main method?

My friend asked me this question.!

Do a java program runs without the main method? If NO, why? What is the need of main method there in the java program?

Guys..! tell me the answer. I dont know the reason, but I know that java program must needs main method..

CAn anyone tell me the reason?
And correct me If am wrong?

Replies

  • faizaan
    faizaan
    Re: Do a Java program runs without the Main method?

    My point of view is that,

    If we create an applet in java than it can run without having main method,but if we develop an application than it do requires main method.

    Reason why we require main method is because we write public static void main() i.e main method is a static method & so we can call it without creating object of that class . so when we compile (i.e javac filename.java) java compiler needs to use this main method without creating any object of that class.

    please correct me if i am wrong.
  • Manish Goyal
    Manish Goyal
    I think main() method is must in java ...
    since java is pure object oriented language....and also main() method is an entry point...through which execution of program begins............
  • sarveshgupta
    sarveshgupta
    @pallavi: Faizan is right it is possible to have a program to start execution without entering into main first.

    This is because main is always the entry gate for the program. but if we are able to provide any other initiation point there is no need of main

    as in case of an applet in which there is no main method, it has init
  • Sahithi Pallavi
    Sahithi Pallavi
    Thanks a ton guys...!

    So, main method is must to run a java program...!
  • Sahithi Pallavi
    Sahithi Pallavi
    guys..! My friend told me that we can write and run a java program without using the main method.
    i.e By using static

    she gave this example program...!

    public void static( )
    public class
    {
    public void static( )
    {
    System.out.println( "Without main method" );
    System.exit(0);
    }
    }
  • Manish Goyal
    Manish Goyal
    sahithi pallavi
    guys..! My friend told me that we can write and run a java program without using the main method.
    i.e By using static

    she gave this example program...!

    public void static( )
    public class
    {
    public void static( )
    {
    System.out.println( "Without main method" );
    System.exit(0);
    }
    }
    πŸ˜•πŸ˜•πŸ˜•πŸ˜•
    have you execute it...is it running successfully
  • sarveshgupta
    sarveshgupta
    @Pallavi: try the code yourself as I am doubtful this program will run.

    And I told you that Java Applet programs don't generally have the main method.

    they have paint() and init() method.
  • ms_cs
    ms_cs
    The java program can run without main method with this static method
  • sarveshgupta
    sarveshgupta
    ms_cs
    The java program can run without main method with this static method
    But where is the function name in this program.

    With which name you will save the file?
  • Manish Goyal
    Manish Goyal
    Yeah i am totally confused with this...where is the name of function
    as static is the reserved keyword..how can you use it...
    if this is possible.
    then what would we say it,,,,it's feature or limitation??
  • sookie
    sookie
    If I am not wrong ms_cs mean to say by using 'static block' not 'static method' because for calling a static method, one need to have an entry point while 'static block' is automatically called whenever class is loaded in JVM. "Static blocks" declared in any Java class are always called before the main() method. You can also note that why static variables or methods are declared outside "main" method.

    Let's see an example to avoid any confusions
    STEP 1: Create a class like followng in any of the locations of your sytem. Let me keep it "I:\"

    /**
     *
     * @author sookie
     */
    public class ProgramWithoutMainMethod {
     static
    {
        System.out.println("Look at me ! I am running without Main method");      
        System.exit(0);
        
    }
    }
    
    STEP 2: Now open command prompt and go to"bin" directory of your installed JDK and enter following command. It compiles the program
    javac I:\ProgramWithoutMainMethod.java
    [​IMG]

    STEP 3: Now let's simply run the program.
    java -classpath I:\ ProgramWithoutMainMethod
    [​IMG]

    Now you all might be wondering that why do I need to add this additional line "System.exit(0); " right? See, as soon as my "static block" reaches its closing brace, it tries to search for main() method which as of now you all now is must for running a Java program so in order to stop my program from looking for main() method, I would simply call System.exit(0); and terminate the entire Java program. So I am not giving it a chance to look for any main() method.

    Hoping now you all might be cleared about the things discussing over here.

    PS: Before directly asking questions [specially related to Java] - A tip try to search web, it is having so much information that you will learn 100 other things with only 1 question. πŸ˜€
  • Manish Goyal
    Manish Goyal
    thanks sookie ........for clarifying this concept
  • ms_cs
    ms_cs
    sookie: you are right..nice explanation
  • accoolaryan
    accoolaryan
    yes we can run a java program without a main method .as main method is necessary but if we use a block named static ,every statement in it will be executed without main
    try it
    but it can give a n error so use System.exit(0) at the end of the file
    as
    public Nomain{
    static{
    System.out.println("printing without main");
    }
    System.exit(0);
    }
  • rama_krish627
    rama_krish627
    107627@ccc108:~> javac crazy1.java
    crazy1.java:1: 'class' or 'interface' expected
    public void static( )
    ^
    crazy1.java:2: expected
    public class
    ^
    crazy1.java:9: '{' expected
    }
    ^
    3 errors

    These are the errors in this program.
    can you tell me is it working properly?
    If yes tell me how.
  • sarveshgupta
    sarveshgupta
    ya nice explanation sookie
  • sookie
    sookie
    rama_krish627
    107627@ccc108:~> javac crazy1.java
    crazy1.java:1: 'class' or 'interface' expected
    public void static( )
    ^
    crazy1.java:2: expected
    public class
    ^
    crazy1.java:9: '{' expected
    }
    ^
    3 errors

    These are the errors in this program.
    can you tell me is it working properly?
    If yes tell me how.
    Pardon my ignorance but I couldn't see where is your program crazy1.java ?

    I am just assuming
    You are using "class" keyword in your program and name of the file and class marked as public are same.
  • techno_ishant
    techno_ishant
    java program can run without main()
    For Example APPLET...😁
  • rahulgakhar
    rahulgakhar
    ya u can run a java program without main

    try this

    public class A
    {
    static
    {
    System.out.println( "Without main method" );
    System.exit(0);
    }
    }
  • naveen029
    naveen029
    as you know,java achieves platform independency. so it uses Java Virtual Machiene(JVM) for platform independency.so java developer also connect main() method to this jvm.
    so when we run a program JVM does not find any entry gate(i.e main() method) into the program.lets take example..suppose you have a house connecting 2 to three rooms but atleast u requires a entry gate. so it is also necessary to have a main() methos like main() (entry gate in to run your program)i.e from where JVM can start.
  • rahulgakhar
    rahulgakhar
    but my friend told me we can run without main..............
    bt he doesnt know how...........
  • Sahithi Pallavi
    Sahithi Pallavi
    rahulgakhar
    but my friend told me we can run without main..............
    bt he doesnt know how...........
    yes, we can. By using static block.
    Go through the previous posts of this thread.
  • Amit Porwal
    Amit Porwal
    Re: Do a Java program runs without the Main method?

    We can run the program without using the main function in java......
    and we can print any value any string....


    if we want to print anythings in java without using main....
    then we use the static block.....

    with the use of static block program compile successfully but occur a run time error...
    for avoiding these run time error we can use the System.exit(0);


    Example............

    class staticEx 
    {
            static 
            {
                    System.out.println("Inside Static Block");
                    System.exit(0);
             }
    }
    
    AMIT PORWAL, BANGALORE(soft. eng.)


    Moderator Note:: We recommend all communications to happen on CE!!
    Please donot post email ids.
  • crazy_raja
    crazy_raja
    class Hello
    {
    static
    {
    System.out.println("This is the Java Program That Runs Without Main Method");
    System.exit(0);
    }
    }


    Try this one....it works
  • Ricky008
    Ricky008
    sahithi pallavi
    My friend asked me this question.!

    Do a java program runs without the main method? If NO, why? What is the need of main method there in the java program?

    Guys..! tell me the answer. I dont know the reason, but I know that java program must needs main method..

    CAn anyone tell me the reason?
    And correct me If am wrong?
    Yes, you can but do not count on it when you develop your application. In Java, a static initializer gets executed as soon as the class is loaded, even before the main method is called. Here is an example,

    public class WithoutMain {
    static {
    System.out.println( "Hello World" );
    System.exit(0);
    }
    }
    The JVM finds and loads the class into memory when you run this code, the static initializer is executed during the loading and initialization of the class. System.exit(0) is called at the end of the static block to terminates the program. If not, then the JVM would have next used reflection on that class to find the main() method. If it does not find the main method, it throws an exception.
  • karan20m
    karan20m
    if we dont write main() in the progrm then the compiler doesnt know where to start the program..
  • gayathri anbu
    gayathri anbu
    i have tried this.. it is not executing successfully..
  • gayathri anbu
    gayathri anbu
    You can write a runnable program which does not have main method at all. During run time jvm will search for the main method after exiting from this block. If it does not find the main method, it throws an exception. To avoid the exception System.exit(0); statement is used which terminates the program at the end of the static block itself.
    [TABLE]
    [TR]
    [TD]class MainMethodNot
    {
    static
    {
    System.out.println("This java program have run without the run method");
    System.exit(0);

    }
    }[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [/TABLE]

  • karthikswapna1
    karthikswapna1
    yes of course the bellow program is executing
    Sada
    guys..! My friend told me that we can write and run a java program without using the main method.
    i.e By using static

    she gave this example program...!

    public void static( )
    public class
    {
    public void static( )
    {
    System.out.println( "Without main method" );
    System.exit(0);
    }
    }
  • vinci
    vinci
    in reality this program wont work .my compiler gives me an error saying that main method not defined
  • Sahithi Pallavi
    Sahithi Pallavi
    vinci
    in reality this program wont work .my compiler gives me an error saying that main method not defined
    will work, Vinci. Check once again.

    And see this explanation,
    If I am not wrong ms_cs mean to say by using 'static block' not 'static method' because for calling a static method, one need to have an entry point while 'static block' is automatically called whenever class is loaded in JVM. "Static blocks" declared in any Java class are always called before the main() method. You can also note that why static variables or methods are declared outside "main" method.

    Let's see an example to avoid any confusions
    STEP 1: Create a class like followng in any of the locations of your sytem. Let me keep it "I:\"

    Code:

    /** * * @author sookie */ public class ProgramWithoutMainMethod { static { System.out.println("Look at me ! I am running without Main method"); System.exit(0); } }
    STEP 2: Now open command prompt and go to"bin" directory of your installed JDK and enter following command. It compiles the program
    javac I:\ProgramWithoutMainMethod.java
    [​IMG]

    STEP 3: Now let's simply run the program.
    java -classpath I:\ ProgramWithoutMainMethod
    [​IMG]

    Now you all might be wondering that why do I need to add this additional line "System.exit(0); " right? See, as soon as my "static block" reaches its closing brace, it tries to search for main() method which as of now you all now is must for running a Java program so in order to stop my program from looking for main() method, I would simply call System.exit(0); and terminate the entire Java program. So I am not giving it a chance to look for any main() method.

    Hoping now you all might be cleared about the things discussing over here.

    PS: Before directly asking questions [specially related to Java] - A tip try to search web, it is having so much information that you will learn 100 other things with only 1 question. πŸ˜€
  • jeklin110
    jeklin110
    [TABLE]
    [TR]
    [TD="class: votecell"][/TD]
    [TD="class: answercell"][/TD]
    [/TR]
    [/TABLE]
    Hi,
    This is just convention. In fact, even the name main(), and the arguments passed in are purely convention.
    When you run java.exe (or javaw.exe on Windows), what is really happening is a coupleo of Java Native Interface (JNI) calls. These calls load the DLL that is really the JVM (that's right - java.exe is NOT the JVM). JNI is the tool that we use when we have to bridge between the virtual machine world, and the world of C, C++, etc... The reverse is also true - it is not possible (at least to my knowledge) to actually get a JVM running without using JNI.
    ----------
    #-Link-Snipped-#
  • jeklin110
    jeklin110
    Hi
    Welcome to you good question asked by your friends i am finding answer for you..
    ---------
  • balaji MCA
    balaji MCA
    Yes We can run the java program with out main method using static class name alone is enough to run a program in java sum operation only needs main clause
  • csmentor
    csmentor
    Hi,
    In order to run a JAVA program INDEPENDENTLY you need to have main() method. You can create java classes without main method but they can be used in another program but cannot be run independently.

    Hope this helps.
  • greatcoder
    greatcoder
    #-Link-Snipped-#
    I will tell u very conceptual answer.
    1) Main method is a method just like any other method defined by us. Suppose you make a method to add two numbers: add()
    2) U know the name of the method and can call it like add() and the program flow goes to add() method.
    3) Just think what happens when we excute the Java Program.
    4) We invoke the JVM and pass the name of the class to run
    5) What will JVM do? It will create an instance of the class we passed to it and will call a method "main()". Thus There must be an entry point so that a program can begin executing and in Java such a method from which the execution will start is named as "main()" method. After all JVM must know the method which it should call to start program execution...

    Hope this helps
    Regards
    GC
  • priya.123
    priya.123
    Sada
    My friend asked me this question.!

    Do a java program runs without the main method? If NO, why? What is the need of main method there in the java program?

    Guys..! tell me the answer. I dont know the reason, but I know that java program must needs main method..

    CAn anyone tell me the reason?
    And correct me If am wrong?
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    You can run java program without main method with the help of static block
    Because it executes as soon as class loaded.
    Also memory is initialized to static block at the time of class compiled
    But still we require main() method because static block is called automatically whereas we can call main() method as on our require meant also to take command line argument we need main() method
  • Anoop Kumar
    Anoop Kumar
    Static block trick, no more applicable for JDK 1.7+😏
  • Sahithi Pallavi
    Sahithi Pallavi
    ianoop
    Static block trick, no more applicable for JDK 1.7+😏
    Is it so? πŸ˜•
  • ashie
    ashie
    yes sada ...we can run java program without main...by using static block
    if a static block is present in the program,then jvm execute it first,and then search for main method...
    though if main method is not found..it gave an error..bt that we can eliminate by using system.exit inside block method
  • KACHA PIYUSH
    KACHA PIYUSH
    // PAIN-KILLER SOLUTION OF ALL LOGIC PROGRAM
    // SAVE IT Demo1 and this is successfully run my frd
    public class Demo1
    {
    static
    {
    System.out.println("yeah sure painkiller");
    System.exit(0);

    }
    }
  • suraz
    suraz
    Program without main() used to run earlier,as static block is executed first and within static block you write sop and then terminate using system.exit(0).
    New version of java doesnot allow executing program without main()

    in jdk 1.7(build1.7.0-ea-b85),It gives run time Exception.Check it out​
  • Sahithi Pallavi
    Sahithi Pallavi
    yeah, so is there no chance to run a program in jdk1.7 without main()?
  • Ankit Niranjan
    Ankit Niranjan
    Sada
    guys..! My friend told me that we can write and run a java program without using the main method.
    i.e By using static

    she gave this example program...!

    public void static( )
    public class
    {
    public void static( )
    {
    System.out.println( "Without main method" );
    System.exit(0);
    }
    }
    but hw we can run this program??????
  • Sahithi Pallavi
    Sahithi Pallavi
    Ankit Niranjan
    but hw we can run this program??????
    please go through the above posts. You will find the explanation.
  • Extreme Java
    Extreme Java
    Yes System.exit() is the right thing to do at the end of static block.
  • Rashmi Yadav
    Rashmi Yadav
    Sada
    My friend asked me this question.!

    Do a java program runs without the main method? If NO, why? What is the need of main method there in the java program?

    Guys..! tell me the answer. I dont know the reason, but I know that java program must needs main method..

    CAn anyone tell me the reason?
    And correct me If am wrong?
    In java program ,the program execution starts from main method.But in java program all code must be declared in class. to access class we have to create an object for this.But to start execution all of this we have to execute main method .so have declared class as public static in which main method is saved.and we declare this class as file name to access direct main method without creating object of class in which the main method is saved.
  • Deepika Bansal
    Deepika Bansal
    Great information friends. Thank you all.
    My question is that is there any specific problem field(s) to skip the main function and keep the program running using static block as stated above; because as per my view, we cannot have much of the versatility and complex functionality with the ystatic block as with the main function.
    So is there any special field of using static block like this?
  • Rashmi Yadav
    Rashmi Yadav
    Deepika Bansal
    Great information friends. Thank you all.
    My question is that is there any specific problem field(s) to skip the main function and keep the program running using static block as stated above; because as per my view, we cannot have much of the versatility and complex functionality with the ystatic block as with the main function.
    So is there any special field of using static block like this?
    If you want to execute a program you must include main method.if main method is not included in the program then the program will not execute and javac will give error.and there is nothing to replace the main method.you have to include main method becoz main method is the reason of execution .you cant skip it with any other thing.
  • madhuri thalluri
    madhuri thalluri
    hello friends..
    I tried the above code in ecllipse..bt its showing error as follows
    so plz hlp me out..
  • Anoop Kumar
    Anoop Kumar
    madhuri thalluri
    hello friends..
    I tried the above code in ecllipse..bt its showing error as follows
    so plz hlp me out..
    Check the following reply in this thread..
    Anoop Kumar
    Static block trick, no more applicable for JDK 1.7+😏

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