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JShell

JShell is an interactive tool introduced in Java 9 that allows users to learn Java and prototype code using a Read-Evaluate-Print Loop (REPL) format, eliminating the need for traditional programming steps. It enables quick testing of Java statements, methods, and classes, and provides immediate feedback on code execution. JShell includes various commands for managing the session, viewing variables and methods, and allows for easy experimentation with Java code.

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3 views

JShell

JShell is an interactive tool introduced in Java 9 that allows users to learn Java and prototype code using a Read-Evaluate-Print Loop (REPL) format, eliminating the need for traditional programming steps. It enables quick testing of Java statements, methods, and classes, and provides immediate feedback on code execution. JShell includes various commands for managing the session, viewing variables and methods, and allows for easy experimentation with Java code.

Uploaded by

Suresh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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JShell (Java 9 New Feature)

Introduction to JShell
The Java Shell tool (JShell) is an interactive tool for learning the Java
programming language and prototyping Java code. JShell is a Read-
Evaluate-Print Loop (REPL), which evaluates declarations,
statements, and expressions as they are entered and immediately
shows the results. The tool is run from the command line. JShell was
introduced in java 9 and hence can not be used in java 8.
Why Use JShell ?
Jshell has reduced all the efforts that are required to run a Java
program and test a business logic. If we don’t use Jshell, creating of
Java program involves the following steps.
1. Open editor and write program
2. Save the program
3. Compile the program
4. Edit if any compile time error
5. Run the program
6. Edit if any runtime error
7. Repeat the process
Jshell does not require above steps. We can evaluate statements,
methods and classes, even can write hello program without creating
class.
JShell helps you try out code and easily explore options as you
develop your program. You can test individual statements, try out
different variations of a method, and experiment with unfamiliar
APIs within the JShell session. JShell doesn’t replace an IDE. As you
develop your program, paste code into JShell to try it out, and then
paste working code from JShell into your program editor or IDE.
Starting and Stopping JShell
To start Jshell, first we must have installed Java 9 then open terminal
in Linux or command prompt in windows and type jshell. It will start
jshell session and displays a welcome message to the console.
Hello Java Message
To display a simple “Hello Java” message, write print command
without creating class and hit enter.

To exit JShell, enter command:


jshell> /exit
| Goodbye
Snippets
JShell accepts Java statements; variable, method, and class
definitions; imports; and expressions. These pieces of Java code are
referred to as snippets.
Enter the following sample statement at the prompt, and review the
output that is shown:

jshell> int x = 11
x ==> 11
| created variable x : int
First, the result is shown. Read this as: the variable x has the value
45. Because you are in verbose mode, a description of what
occurred is also shown. Informative messages start with a vertical
bar. Notice that both the name and the type of the created variable
are shown.
When an expression is entered that doesn’t have a named variable,
a scratch variable is created so that the value can be referenced
later. The following example shows scratch values for an expression
and for the results of a method. The example also shows the
continuation prompt (…>) that is used when a snippet requires more
than one line of input to complete:

jshell> 8 + 8
$3 ==> 16
| created scratch variable $3 : int

jshell> String double(String s) {


...> return s + s;
...> }
| created method double(String)

jshell> double("Geeks")
$5 ==> "GeeksGeeks"
| created scratch variable $5 : String
Exceptions
In an exception backtrace, feedback identifies the snippet and the
location within the snippet where the exception occurred.
The location within the code entered into JShell is displayed as
#ID:line-number, where snippet ID is the number displayed by the
/list command, and line-number is the line number within the
snippet. In the following example, the exception occurs in snippet 1,
which is the divide() method, on the second line of the method:

jshell> int half(int x, int y) {


...> return x / y;
...> }
| created method divide(int,int)

jshell> divide(5, 0)
| java.lang.ArithmeticException thrown: / by zero
| at divide (#1:2)
| at (#2:1)

jshell> /list

1 : int divide(int x, int y) {


return x / y;
}
2 : divide(5, 0)
Introduction to Commands
JShell commands control the environment and display information
within a session.
Commands are distinguished from snippets by a leading forward
slash (/). For information about the current variables, methods, and
types, use the /vars, /methods, and /types commands. For a list of
entered snippets, use the /list command. The following example
shows these commands based on the examples

jshell> /vars
| int x = 8
| int $3 = 16
| String $5 = "GeeksGeeks"

jshell> /methods
| double(String)String

jshell> /list

1 : System.out.println("Hi");
2 : int x = 8;
3 : 8 + 8
4 : String double(String s) {
return s + s;
}
5 : double("Ocean")
Notice that the types and values of variables and the type signature
of methods are displayed.
JShell has a default startup script that is silently and automatically
executed before JShell starts, so that you can get to work quickly.
Entries from the startup script aren’t listed unless you request them
with the /list -start or /list -all command:

jshell> /list -all

s1 : import java.util.*;
s2 : import java.io.*;
s3 : import java.math.*;
s4 : import java.net.*;
s5 : import java.util.concurrent.*;
s6 : import java.util.prefs.*;
s7 : import java.util.regex.*;
1 : System.out.println("Hi");
2 : int x = 8;
3 : 8 + 8
4 : String double(String s) {
return s + s;
}
5 : double("GeeksGeeks")
The default startup script consists of several common imports. You
can personalize your startup entries with the /set start command.
For information about this command, enter /help /set start. The
/save -start command saves the current startup script as a starting
point for your own startup script.
Other important commands include /exit to leave JShell, /save to
save your snippets, and /open to enter snippets from a file.
Enter /help for a list of the JShell commands.
References – https://docs.oracle.com/javase/9/tools/jshell.htm

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