Java Program Structure

Understanding the structure of a Java program is essential as you begin your journey with the language. Every Java application follows a consistent format, using packages to organize code, classes as blueprints for objects and logic, and a special method called main as the program’s entry point. When you run a Java application, the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) looks for this main method to start execution. Examine how these pieces fit together in a simple example.

Let’s break down what each part of this example does. The first line, package com.example;, declares the package, which helps organize your code and avoid naming conflicts;

Next, the public class Main line defines a class named Main;

In Java, all code must reside inside a class;

Within this class, you see the public static void main(String[] args) method. This is the entry point for any standalone Java application—the method the JVM calls to begin execution;

The parameter String[] args allows you to pass command-line arguments to your program;

Inside the main method, the line System.out.println("Hello, Java!"); prints the message to the console. This structure—a package declaration, a class definition, and a main method—is the foundation of every Java application.