error: cannot read: (filename.java)

You must compile your class first....

To compile:
javac ExampleProgram.java

In the above example you will end up with 2 files
1. ExampleProgram.java
2. ExampleProgram.class

To run your program:
java ExampleProgram

Note: when you execute your program you dont use the ".class" extension.

Also you example class needs to be public.  

// dont forget the public modifier here...
public class ExampleProgram {

  public static void main(String[] args){

       System.out.println("I'm a Simple Program");
  }
}

C:\WINNT\Profiles\shcool\Desktop\test>javac ExampleProgram.java

C:\WINNT\Profiles\shcool\Desktop\test>dir
 Volume in drive C is WS15931
 Volume Serial Number is 08FD-8943

 Directory of C:\WINNT\Profiles\shcool\Desktop\test

03/09/03  11:03a        <DIR>          .
03/09/03  11:03a        <DIR>          ..
03/09/03  11:03a                   442 ExampleProgram.class
03/09/03  11:03a                   138 ExampleProgram.java
               4 File(s)            580 bytes
                          2,075,729,408 bytes free

C:\WINNT\Profiles\shcool\Desktop\test>java ExampleProgram
I'm a Simple Program

C:\WINNT\Profiles\shcool\Desktop\test>

Thank you bobbit31.
What I found was that it couldn't read the file if I was outside the directory, even though the path was correct and javac was found and run. But your comment about the name cured the next problem when trying to run the class file that not only do have to have that name but it was case sensitive!
I must say I am disappointed in Java at the moment. It's years since I did anything in DOS and I guess I've been spoilt with the ease of for instance dragging an object into a window and carrying on from there in VBasic. I might try VC++.

Thank you mr_cool for your very long answer but I was already doing what you suggested.

What you have been doing in DOS is the hard way.

There are many options to compile and run your programs.  Some of these are:

* Use ANT - ant.apache.org
This is a make file file type solution using xml files, works very well

*Use an IDE.  My favourite IDE's are:
- Eclipse (its free)
- Jbuilder

Both of these IDE's support ANT build files as well.


Using these tools will make compiling and running a LOT eaiser.

Thanks mr_cool, I'll look into it

so what was the actual answer, cause i have the same problem and i don't quite understand what you mean by "outside of the directory"
it says there's one error, cannot read Test.java

I've lost the link now to an answer the came from java.sun that basically said look in the help section.

What I found was that you have to put the source file in the same directory as javac.exe and BEWARE that the file names are case sensitive!

still doesn't work... i placed my test file in the bin directory
but no :(

Let's have a look at your code.
I'm going away for a few days so put your question up again for an answer but let me know what it is. I've been doing something else since I started Java so lost touch but I have a feeling that the name of the file "Test.java" has to be the same as the function inside (but surely that can't be) also when I tried to my old files again I couldn't get it to work, the reason - I think - is that I have ticked Microsoft Java instead of Java Sun in Internet Explorer advanced internet options.
Good luck!

it is the same, and it has to be the same! but still it doesn't work
there is nothing wrong with my code, cause i can compile it when i use textpad (which has integrated java functions)

//A Very Simple Example
class ExampleProgram {

   public static void main(String[] args){

        System.out.println("I'm a Simple Program");
   }
}
-----------------
Try this one which works:
javac ExampleProgram.java

And then

java ExampleProgram

(no error on my machine.)