Java - import only those classes which you need VS import all/ import .*

[David Jason]

Is there any difference between the two ?

[jatan bhavsar]

Hi David,

Yes there is difference when you import specific class and import all the classes.
Refer to this thread http://www.coderanch.com/t/374863/java/java/import-pkg-vs-import-pkg

Regards
Jatan

[Campbell Ritchie]

I found that old thread confusing to read. Our FAQ is more helpful.

[David Jason]

Campbell Ritchie wrote:I found that old thread confusing to read. Our FAQ is more helpful.

Thanks, just read that now. Got what I was looking for. On the side,
I wish they could also give some info about how the compiling process is affected.

[Bear Bibeault]

The effect is so minuscule as to be completely ignorable.

[Prasad prap]

Do have a look at this Stackoverflow

[David Jason]

Prasad prap wrote:Do have a look at this Stackoverflow

Yes, excellent post and good answers. Especially this:

Chris Cudmore wrote:
Take a look at the java API, and you'll see many classes and interfaces with the same name in different packages.

For example:

java.lang.reflect.Array
java.sql.Array

So, if you import java.lang.reflect.* and java.sql.* you'll have a collision on the Array type, and have to fully qualify them in your code.

Importing specific classes instead will save you this hassle.

Thanks for that link prasad.