(Newbie Question) Javac Not Overwriting Properly

[ExtremePopcorn]

When I try to recompile code after making a change to it, my .class file doesn't change (as far as I can tell). Javac still finds errors in my code, but if I want to get a new class file I have to save my code under a different name. Even if I delete my current .class and .java file it still doesn't change. Any ideas, or things I could try to give you a better idea of the problem?

[Nepomuk]

Are you sure you're in the right directory? I've had problems where I was compiling one set of code and trying to use another. Silly mistake, I know, but I guess it can happen to anyone.

Greetings,
Nepomuk

[r035198x]

If your code has errors then a .class file will not be created. Better get rid of the compilation errors first.

[ExtremePopcorn]

@Nepomuk: Thanks, but the directory is definitely not the problem

@r035: Yeah, see, I'm sure the problem is something obscure, because my code has no errors, but when I recompile the class file isn't replaced.

Thanks for trying, though. Maybe it'll work itself out in time.

[r035198x]

...
@r035: Yeah, see, I'm sure the problem is something obscure, because my code has no errors..

I thought you said that javac still finds errors in your code? (in your first post).

...
...
Thanks for trying, though. Maybe it'll work itself out in time.

It won't. computers don't work that way. If you are sure that your code doesn't have errors then move that .class file to some other directory so that there is no class file in the output directory. You can then run the javac command again and tell us the results.

[ExtremePopcorn]

My code had errors, I fixed them, and it still didn't overwrite, is what I was saying.

Alright, here's my exact movements:

Here's the code for Main.java:

import java.awt.Font;
import java.awt.Graphics;
import java.awt.Color;
 
public class Main extends java.applet.Applet {
 
    public void paint(Graphics g) {
        setBackground(Color.blue);
        g.setFont(new Font("sansserif", Font.BOLD, 12));
        g.drawString("FONT TEST", 10, 10);
    }
}
 

Created new folder (named "New Folder").

Moved Main.java into New Folder.

Open up command prompt.

Command prompt says: "C:\Documents and Settings\registered user".

Typed "cd Desktop/New Folder"

Typed "javac Main.java"

That generated no response, which is good, I think.

I checked and the class file was in New Folder. I then opened up the applet in a web page in New Folder, and everything worked out okay.

I then tried to recompile it, this time changing the Color.blue to Color.black. Nothing changed in the applet.

So what do you think? Should I try a reinstall of javac?

[r035198x]

Did you restart the applet?

[chaarmann]

If you have an applet in the browser, then the browser doesn't load the new class file if you change the applet. It uses the one loaded before from cache.
So it's not a problem with compilation, but with your browser settings.

You can do different things to force the browser to reload the changed applet:
1.) Try to press F5 in your browser.
2.) In InternetExplorer, Under internet options, menu extras--> internet options, tab common, button settings (where you can delete temporary files etc), there is a radio button that is usually "automatic", switch it to : load new versions of page ever every time you visit page.
3.) Put META tags inside your HTML-page to force the browser to refresh.
4.) If there is a proxy server between your browser and your server where your application is running, contact the network admin and tell him to configure your page not to be cached.