RFR: 8340133: Add concise usage message to the java executable [v9]
Jan Lahoda
jlahoda at openjdk.org
Mon Nov 18 15:50:49 UTC 2024
> Currently, running `java` without any parameters will lead to an output that is a full `--help`, which is over 100 lines (on my computer at least), and it feels overwhelming. And many people might actually want to run JShell/REPL, not the `java` executable, but it is difficult find out about JShell.
>
> The proposal herein is to print a much shorter help, together with a pointer to JShell, when the executable does not know what to do. I.e. there is nothing specified to start, and no option like `--help` is specified. In particular, on my machine, it prints:
>
> openjdk 24-internal 2025-03-18
>
> Usage: java [java options...] <application> [application arguments...]
>
> Where <application> is one of:
> <mainclass> to execute the main method of a compiled class
> -jar <jarfile>.jar to execute the main class of a JAR archive
> -m <module>[/<mainclass>] to execute the main class of a module
> <sourcefile>.java to compile and execute a source-file program
>
> Where key java options include:
> --class-path <class path>
> where <class path> is a list of directories and JAR archives to search for class files, separated by ":"
> --module-path <module path>
> where <module path> is a list of directories and JAR archives to search for modules, separated by ":"
>
> For additional help on usage: java --help
> For an interactive Java environment: jshell
>
>
> Hopefully, this may be easier both for people trying to run something, and for people that are really looking for JShell.
>
> What do you think?
>
> Thanks!
Jan Lahoda has updated the pull request with a new target base due to a merge or a rebase. The pull request now contains 14 commits:
- Merge branch 'master' into JDK-8340133-2
- - suffixing <jarfile> and <sourcefile> with .jar and .java in both the concise and full help.
- using a stderr version instead of the stdout version.
- Reflecting review feedback:
- using "conciseVersionString" intead of "shortVersionString"
- using <jarfile>.jar <jarfile>
- Merge branch 'master' into JDK-8340133-2
- Using correct pplaceholders.
- Adjusting text as suggested.
- Cleaning up the concise message:
- using 2 spaces instead of 4,
- rewording the "for more use --help" part of the message as suggested to avoid the word "launcher".
- Using lowercase for the keys in the help, using 'source-file' program instead of 'single-file' program.
- Using an enum instead of booleans, as suggested.
- Adjusting the concise help as suggested: 'using main class of a JAR archive' and '<JarFile>.jar'/'<SourceFile>.java'
- ... and 4 more: https://git.openjdk.org/jdk/compare/dfddbcaa...439fa40f
-------------
Changes: https://git.openjdk.org/jdk/pull/21411/files
Webrev: https://webrevs.openjdk.org/?repo=jdk&pr=21411&range=08
Stats: 124 lines in 6 files changed: 63 ins; 2 del; 59 mod
Patch: https://git.openjdk.org/jdk/pull/21411.diff
Fetch: git fetch https://git.openjdk.org/jdk.git pull/21411/head:pull/21411
PR: https://git.openjdk.org/jdk/pull/21411
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