Confusion about public static void main()

[Mandar Puranik]

Hi,
Many a times in this forum this topic has been discussed. Still I am getting confused by the following :
Many guys said here that the entry point to a java program , there has to be a public static void main(String[]args) method. (According to JLS)
But I have following code, and its gets executed.
Whats the reason ?
Note : If we remove the static word, then it obviously doesnt run. But why does it run even if the access specifier is private or proteced ?

public class TestDemo
{
    public TestDemo()
    {
     System.out.println("In constructor");
    }
    private static void main(String[] args)
    {
System.out.println("This is Main Test");
    }
}

Thanks in advance.
Mandar

[Alton Hernandez]

Originally posted by Mandar Puranik:
Hi,
Many a times in this forum this topic has been discussed. Still I am getting confused by the following :
Many guys said here that the entry point to a java program , there has to be a public static void main(String[]args) method. (According to JLS)
But I have following code, and its gets executed.
Whats the reason ?
Note : If we remove the static word, then it obviously doesnt run. But why does it run even if the access specifier is private or proteced ?

public class TestDemo
{
    public TestDemo()
    {
     System.out.println("In constructor");
    }
    private static void main(String[] args)
    {
System.out.println("This is Main Test");
    }
}

Thanks in advance.
Mandar

$ java TestDemo
Main method not public.

[Francis Siu]

hi Mandar
Actually,in main method can contain any type access modifier such as private,public,protected or package.
The compiler would not give you a compiler error
Because the main method is a part of the application programme and other class can invoke main method directly.You can test the following code

 
public class Application1
{
  //Construct the application
  public Application1()
  {
    String[] str=new String[4];
    Application1.main(str);
    
  }
  //Main method
  protected static void main(String[] args) 
  {
    System.out.print("Hello moose");
    new Application1();
  }
} 

You will get the funny result
Try it
Do not click the ctr-C or ctr-Z whenever using UNIX or other system
[ June 06, 2003: Message edited by: siu chung man ]

[Praful Thakare]

I guess this will not work on jdk1.4...
cheers

[Thomas Paul]

According to Bug Parade, this was fixed in merlin-beta2. (merlin is the code name for 1.4)
[ June 06, 2003: Message edited by: Thomas Paul ]

[Francis Siu]

hi Thomas
According to Bug Parade, this was fixed in merlin-beta2. (merlin is the code name for 1.4)
What is that means?
I guess this will not work on jdk1.4...
Did you try it?

[Anupam Sinha]

This means prior to version 1.4 it will work but with 1.4 and probably with versions after 1.4 it will not work. Earlier when I was studying for SCJP this used to bug me a lot. Because in the study guide it was written it won'ytwork but when you actually do it, it works.

[Francis Siu]

This means prior to version 1.4 it will work but with 1.4 and probably with versions after 1.4 it will not work.
You mean it work before jdk1.4 (version<jdk1.4)
And it would not work >=jdk1.4
You mean that I am OUTDAY