Can you print out “Hello World!” without writing a main method in Java? Think for a while. Yes, you’re right. It can be possible using “static initialization blocks”. Let’s see the source code first:
package net.cavdar.staticinitializer;
/**
* Says “Hello World!” without main method. A simple use of
* static initialisation.
*
* @author accavdar
*/
public class HelloWorldWithoutMain {
static {
System.out.println(“Hello World!”);
System.exit(0); // prevents “main method not found” error
}
}
So, what is “static initializer block”?
- A static initializer block is defined using the keyword static.
- The code in a static initializer block is executed once by the virtual machine when the class is loaded.
- A static initializer block cannot contain a return statement. Therefore, no need to specify a return type.
- A static initializer block doesn’t have an argument list.
- It can initialize only static data members of the class.
Because the static initializer block is executed when the class is first loaded, we can print out “Hello World” without writing a main method. The execution is stopped using “System.exit()” command. So, we prevent “main method not found” error. It is tricky. Isn’t it?
Happy coding. 
Note: Write fully qualified class name (for our example “net.cavdar.staticinitializer.HelloWorldWithoutMain”) for configuring run options for main class, if you need.
is this about learning java basics ?
[:|||:]
Trick is nice but what are you trying to preach; can it ever be used in real life scenario.
Nice trick!
Here, I use the traditional “Hello World” example to demonstrate the usage of “static initializer blocks”. More meaningful and detailed example can be found in the link below:
The Essence of OOP using Java, Static Initializer Blocks
Thank you all for your nice comments.
It doesn’t work !
What is the problem Abhi?
just like old procedural languages
good old days!!
Yes, you can print this. But static initializer is useful for initializing resources/variables shared by all instances of a class.
your code is a bit buggy, please test on several different platforms, before posting, kthxbye
package net.cavdar.staticinitializer;
/**
* Says “Hello World!” without main method. A simple use of
* static initialisation.
*
* @author accavdar
*/
public class HelloWorldWithoutMain {
static {
System.out.println(“Hello World!”);
// you need the next line to avoid ClassNotFoundException
new HelloWorldWithoutMain();
System.exit(0); // prevents “main method not found” error
}
}
Hi kajastancos,
I run it for Windows, Fedora Linux and Sun Solaris operating systems without any modification and any problem. I checked it once more for you.
Thanks for your comment and interest.
It seems meaningless to say that static initialization is just a trick or it can’t be used in a real life scenario.
It’s a common way to load libraries -though alternatives- when using jni.
thank you very much i desperately need it
That’s neat but I’m not sure just exactly where we are supposed to go from here. Is this a basic step need to develop code further in java?
Ok, so I just had to ask to see if anyone knows the answer.
What was the first programming language to instigate the obligatory, “Hello World” as the first objective coding lesson?
Would love to here if someone knows the answer to this, I have just been wondering for a long time now.
very nice…
It works…nice trick
Hi,
This code is working correctly on the command promt compilation and execution . But its not working in eclipse… if u know please tell me ..
Thanks and Regards,
Boomiraj.P
right click on the class name on the Package explorer (to left of screen) a menu list appears.. select Run as(towrds bottnm of list ) follwed by Run configurations..and change the text on Name field and that on Mainclass field by the name of the clasname tat u wanna run…thn clik Run on that window…:) happy coding
this is how u run a pgm in eclipse without main();
I once published a blog on space travel and the first post was…wait for it….good bye world!
Ha, had to share that one.
Will not work for java se 7!!!