Head First Java - probably a really dumb question from the newest newbie ever

I just worked through this first example in the book and I can't figure out why it issues an error when I try to run it.

public class MyFirstApp {

public static void main (String[] args) {
System.out.println("I Rule!");
System.out.println("The World");
}

}

I saved it as MyFirstApp.java. I compiled it (javac MyFirstApp.java) and it generated MyFirstApp.class. I typed at the command line "java MyFirstApp.class" and it says:

Exception in thread "main" java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: MyFirstApp/class

So what gives? Any help is gratiously appreciated.
[ December 18, 2005: Message edited by: zach sycks ]

I saved it as MyFirstApp.java. I compiled it (javac MyFirstApp.java) and it generated MyFirstApp.class. I typed at the command line "java MyFirstApp.class" and it says:

U have to give "java MyFirstApp" without that .class.

And Hey u can look at

this url for more info on running a Java Prog.
[ December 18, 2005: Message edited by: Sri Ram ]

Dear Zach,

Inorder that your program should execute just type the following command,
java MyFirstApp
You dont need the dot class extension.
Have fun
[ December 18, 2005: Message edited by: Abdulla Mamuwala ]

just typed that at the command prompt and got the same error. argh.

Is your class file in the same directory from where you are executing your java command. That is if you have your .class file in say C:\MyPrograms, change directory to that particular directory and than execute your java command i.e, C:\MyPrograms\java MyFirstApp
Good Luck

Originally posted by zach sycks:
just typed that at the command prompt and got the same error. argh.

Are you getting exactly the same error? Or is the the same error without "/class" at the end?

See this thread.
[ December 18, 2005: Message edited by: marc weber ]

Checking out that thread, looks like the right thing so far! It is indeed the same error, but without /class as you've pointed out.

Thanks!

Per the other thread, I typed:

java -cp . MyFirstApp and that took care of it!

Also, if I read the prior thread correctly, I needed to put a . in my CLASSPATH for Windows XP. I did that as well, we'll see what happens.