How does a java program run without defining the main method?

I'm looking at some java source code and notice that the main methods are not defined

How does Java compile source code without knowing where to start?

Solution

The main method is only used when the Java virtual machine is executing code Code cannot be executed without the main method, but it can still be compiled

When compiling code, you usually specify a set of files on the command line

javac MyClass1.java MyClass2.java

The java compiler (javac) checks each class you pass to it and compiles it into Class file

One reason java source code may lack primary methods is because it is designed to be used as a library rather than executed

You may find something interesting: Although the source code compiled by the java compiler does not need a main method, the source code for the java compiler itself does have a main method