* as a parameter to main

[Manish Hatwalne]

Run this code -

public class TestDir
{
public static void main(String args[])
{
for(int i=0; i < args.length; i++)
{
System.out.println("Arg " + i + " \t: " + args[i]);
}
}
}

When run from command prompt as - java TestDir *,
This code simply lists all the files from current directory. How is it working?
TIA,
- Manish

[luco zhao]

I don't know why, but notice "dir *" works in command prompt.

[Manish Hatwalne]

I agree that * works as a wildcard charactter while listing directories, but why should it work as such in Java VM?
I expected output to be - Arg 0 : *
But don't know why it is working this way.
TIA,
- Manish

[Steven Sun]

Originally posted by luco zhao:
I don't know why, but notice "dir *" works in command prompt.

Nod,i think so ,too.
i think windows commond will treat * as all files in current directory,and pass them to the java process

[Val Pecaoco]

Hi guys,
Quite novel, isn't it?
The answer is in JavaFAQ (just open your eyes widdddeeee and you'll find it ).
Ex Animo Java!
-- Val

[Sayed Ibrahim Hashimi]

Do you have a link?

[B K Sahu]

I was looking for the TestDir Class in www.javafaq.nu .. Didnt find it do you have a direct link ?
Thanx.

[Sayed Ibrahim Hashimi]

I found the link...but it gives no explination.
http://www.javafaq.nu/java/500/index.shtml?hop=jspecialis.javafaq

[Kasey Tritt]

I found the link...but it gives no explination.
http://www.javafaq.nu/java/500/index.shtml?hop=jspecialis.javafaq

The above link does not tell us anything about the question we had but Alexandre Patchine, the owner of the link just want to sell us his book.
Sorry, Alexandre Patchine, This is a self help group - we help each other in Java. I may not know the answer, I will find out through other resources and I can live without knowing the answer for now.
[ May 22, 2002: Message edited by: Kasey Tritt ]

[Jamal Hasanov]

By the way,
java -classpath . TestDir *.html
will print .html files in current directory:-)
this parameters also works : a*.java,abc.*a,...
I'll find the reason !!!
Jamal
www.j-think.com

[Jamal Hasanov]

This is a bug.
http://developer.java.sun.com/developer/bugParade/bugs/4672990.html
Jamal Hasanov
www.j-think.com

[Jamal Hasanov]

This is a bug.
http://developer.java.sun.com/developer/bugParade/bugs/4672990.html
You must use
java TestDir "*"
Jamal Hasanov
www.j-think.com

[Kasey Tritt]

This is a bug.
http://developer.java.sun.com/developer/bugParade/bugs/4672990.html
Jamal Hasanov
www.j-think.com

I find it interesting that people can actually try to sell something based on a bug. I mean, if I purchase the book based on the info on the link, I'll be mad to find out that the reason for the question is a bug .
Thanks Jamal for the info.

[Michael Matola]

Check out this previous thread on this topic.

[R K Singh]

I am sure that soon SUN guys will close this bug by saying it is not a bug but operating system problem.

[Val Pecaoco]

Originally posted by Jamal Hasanov:
This is a bug.
You must use
java TestDir "*"

Mine worked fine with just java TestDir *.
My JDK is 1.3.1 on Win 98.
Ex Animo Java!
-- Val

[Jamal Hasanov]

This is JRE 1.4 or Win2000 bug. Please visit Sun's Java bug database
Jamal