Can't compile 2 classes in different folders, page 15 (Java OCA 8 Programmer I Study Guide, Sybex)

[Gaetan Ve]

Hi guys,

Im trying to get my OCA 8 but with this one exercise i keep on getting an error that i dont understand.

I made the 2 classes in 2 different folders like the book says

package packagea;
public class ClassA {
	
}

package packageb;
import packagea.ClassA;

public class ClassB {
	public static void main(String[] args){

	ClassA a;
	System.out.println("Got it");
}
}

Then I used the cmd line javac "packagea.ClassA.java packageb.ClassB.java" and then i receive the error File not found.
So I thought it might be wise to compile them individually to see if they work, well A compiled without a problem but B didnt.
I got this error when trying to compile B:

ClassB.java:2: error: package packagea does not exist
import packagea.ClassA;
               ^
ClassB.java:7: error: cannot find symbol
        ClassA a;
        ^
  symbol:   class ClassA
  location: class ClassB
2 errors

I still dont get what i'm doing wrong, i've retyped it multiple times but am still getting this error.
What am I missing?

[Roel De Nijs]

Gaetan Ve wrote:I still dont get what i'm doing wrong, i've retyped it multiple times but am still getting this error.
What am I missing?

Sounds like you are experiencing a class path issue. This topic provides an excellent explanation about how to compile Java source code files in different folders using a similar example. I'm pretty sure after carefully reading this topic all your doubts (concerning this topic) will be cleared. If you still have doubts/questions after reading this topic, simply click on the "Post reply" button and let us know

Hope it helps!
Kind regards,
Roel

[Gaetan Ve]

Roel De Nijs wrote:

Gaetan Ve wrote:I still dont get what i'm doing wrong, i've retyped it multiple times but am still getting this error.
What am I missing?

Sounds like you are experiencing a class path issue. This topic provides an excellent explanation about how to compile Java source code files in different folders using a similar example. I'm pretty sure after carefully reading this topic all your doubts (concerning this topic) will be cleared. If you still have doubts/questions after reading this topic, simply click on the "Post reply" button and let us know

Hope it helps!
Kind regards,
Roel

Thanks this helped! Still dont understand why the book gives you the instruction to

 javac packagea/ClassA.java packageb/ClassB.java

when this seems incorrect.

[Roel De Nijs]

Gaetan Ve wrote:Still dont understand why the book gives you the instruction to

 javac packagea/ClassA.java packageb/ClassB.java

when this seems incorrect.

I have just tried following the given instructions and it works flawlessly! So the instructions in the study guide are spot-on. Probably you have missed something important.

Please follow this step-by-step guide very carefully:

create the directory C:\temp

create in this directory two subdirectories packagea and packageb

create in the subdirectory packagea a file ClassA.java

create in the subdirectory packageb a file ClassB.java

add the corresponding code snippets mentioned on page 14 of the study guide to respectively file ClassA.java and file ClassB.java

open a command prompt window

type the command cd C:\temp and press the <Enter> key

type the command javac packagea/ClassA.java packageb/ClassB.java and press the <Enter> key again

the two .class files are created successfully

If you are still experiencing any issues, please provide a step-by-step overview of everything you have done.

Hope it helps!
Kind regards,
Roel

[Jeanne Boyarsky]

The good news is that classpaths aren't on the exam! (Granted that doesn't help with practice, but at least you don't have to memorize how it works)