java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError and java.lang.NoSuchMethodError in UNIX

By: Yolander in Java Tutorials on 2007-10-13

Exception in thread "main" java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: HelloWorldApp

If you receive this error, java cannot find your bytecode file, HelloWorldApp.class.

One of the places java tries to find your bytecode file is your current directory. So, for example, if your bytecode file is in /home/jdoe/java, you should change your current directory to that. To change your directory, type the following command at the prompt and press Return:

cd /home/jdoe/java

If you enter pwd at the prompt, you should see /home/jdoe/java. If you enter ls at the prompt, you should see your .java and .class files. Now enter java HelloWorldApp again.

If you still have problems, you might have to change your CLASSPATH environment variable. To see if this is necessary, try clobbering the classpath with the following command.

unset CLASSPATH

Now enter java HelloWorldApp again. If the program works now, you'll have to change your CLASSPATH variable in the same manner as the PATH variable above.

Exception in thread "main" java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: HelloWorldApp/class
A common mistake made by beginner programmers is to try and run the java launcher on the .class file that was created by the compiler. For example, you'll get this error if you try to run your program with java HelloWorldApp.class instead of java HelloWorldApp. Remember, the argument is the name of the class that you want to use, not the filename.

Exception in thread "main" java.lang.NoSuchMethodError: main
The Java VM requires that the class you execute with it have a main method at which to begin execution of your application.

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