Java Package
A java package is a group of similar types of classes, interfaces and sub-packages.
Package in java can be categorized in two form, built-in package and user-defined package.
There are many built-in packages such as java, lang, awt, javax, swing, net, io, util, sql etc.
Here, we will have the detailed learning of creating and using user-defined packages
Advantage of Java Package
1) Java package is used to categorize the classes and interfaces so that they can be easily
maintained.
2) Java package provides access protection.
3) Java package removes naming collision.
Simple example of java package
/save as [Link]
package mypack;
public class Simple
{
public static void main(String args[])
{
[Link]("Welcome to package");
}
}
How to compile java package
javac -d directory [Link]
javac -d . [Link]
The -d switch specifies the destination where to put the generated class file. You can use any directory
name like /home (in case of Linux), d:/abc (in case of windows) etc. If you want to keep the package
within the same directory, you can use . (dot).
How to run java package program
You need to use fully qualified name e.g. [Link] etc to run the class
To Compile: javac -d . [Link]
To Run: java [Link]
Output:Welcome to package
The -d is a switch that tells the compiler where to put the class file i.e. it represents destination. The .
represents the current folder.
How to access package from another package?
There are three ways to access the package from outside the package.
1. import package.*;
2. import [Link];
3. fully qualified name.
1) Using packagename.*
If you use package.* then all the classes and interfaces of this package will be accessible but not
subpackages.
The import keyword is used to make the classes and interface of another package accessible to
the current package.
(1)
package pack;
public class A
{
public void msg()
{
[Link]("Hello");
}
}
(2)
package mypack;
import pack.*;
class B
{
public static void main(String args[])
{
A obj = new A();
[Link]();
}
}
Output:Hello
2) Using [Link]
If you import [Link] then only declared class of this package will be accessible.
Example of package by import [Link]
//save by [Link]
package pack;
public class A
{
public void msg()
{
[Link]("Hello");
}
}
(2)//save by [Link]
package mypack;
import pack.A;
class B
{
public static void main(String args[])
{
A obj = new A();
[Link]();
}
Out put:-Hello
3) Using fully qualified name
If you use fully qualified name then only declared class of this package will be accessible. Now
there is no need to import. But you need to use fully qualified name every time when you are
accessing the class or interface.
It is generally used when two packages have same class name e.g. [Link] and [Link] packages
contain Date class.
Example of package by import fully qualified name
(1)//save by [Link]
package pack;
public class A
{
public void msg()
{
[Link]("Hello");
}
}
(2)//save by [Link]
package mypack;
class B
{
public static void main(String args[])
{
pack.A obj = new pack.A();//using fully qualified name
[Link]();
}
}
Output:- Hello
Subpackage in java
package [Link];
class Simple
{
public static void main(String args[])
{
[Link]("Hello subpackage");
}
}
To Compile: javac -d . [Link]
To Run: java [Link]
Output: Hello subpackage
How to send the class file to another directory or drive?
There is a scenario, I want to put the class file of [Link] source file in classes folder of c: drive.
For example:
//save as [Link]
package mypack;
public class Simple
{
public static void main(String args[])
{
[Link]("Welcome to package");
}
}
To Compile:
e:\sources> javac -d c:\classes [Link]
To Run:
To run this program from e:\source directory, you need to set classpath of the directory where the class file resides.
e:\sources> set classpath=c:\classes;.;
e:\sources> java [Link]
Another way to run this program by -classpath switch of java:
The -classpath switch can be used with javac and java tool.
To run this program from e:\source directory, you can use -classpath switch of java that tells
where to look for class file. For example:
e:\sources> java -classpath c:\classes [Link]
Output:Welcome to package
