> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cs61b-2.gitbook.io/cs61b-textbook/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cs61b-2.gitbook.io/cs61b-textbook/1.-introduction/1.2-java-workflow.md). # 1.2 Java Workflow {% embed url="" %} Taking a program from a `.java` file into an executable has two main steps in Java: **compilation** and **interpretation**.
To run the code in `Hello.java`, we would first **compile** the code into a `.class` file using the command `javac HelloWorld.java`. Then, to run the code, we would use the command `java HelloWorld`. In your terminal, the result would look like the following: ``` $ javac HelloWorld.java $ java HelloWorld Hello World! ``` ## Class Files There are several reasons for the usage of `.class` files, which we will only cover briefly here. First of all, `.class` files are guaranteed to have been type-checked, making the distributed code safer. They are also more efficient to execute, and protect the actual source code in cases of intellectual property. We will not go into the details of `.class` files in this textbook beyond knowing that they are created after compilation. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://cs61b-2.gitbook.io/cs61b-textbook/1.-introduction/1.2-java-workflow.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.