How can I compile and run a Java class in a different directory?

Question

I\'m writing a makefile that compiles a .java file in a different directory, and then I want to run it, without changing directories. I want to do something alo

Answer 1

Just to add to the existing answers, you may want the --source-path flag:

--source-path , -sourcepath 
      Specify where to find input source files

I believe this effectively sets the package root javac will compile from (i.e. will be stripped from the expected package name of the files). It's still necessary to enumerate the files to compile, and this should still be relative to the current working directory, not the path passed to --source-path.

For example, to compile and run from a project's root where source is stored in src/ and you want it build in bin/:

$ javac --source-path src -d bin src/mypackage/*.java
$ java -cp bin mypackage.Main

This works even from directories elsewhere in the filesystem, e.g.:

$ javac --source-path /some/absolute/path/src  -d /some/absolute/path/bin /some/absolute/path/
$ java -cp /some/absolute/path/bin mypackage.Main