Java: Compile Large number of source files ?
 

I read that in order to compile a large number of sources files, I need to create a file that lists all the file names, and than using javac, compile it. So I created a file named "group" and than typed the following javac group @ ... It gives me an error: javac: invalid flag: group

Can someone tell me please if it is possible to compile a large number of source files?

Thanks
M.S.

Use Ant. http://jakarta.apache.org/ant/

The O'rielly book on Ant is very nice if you have problems figuring it out from the documentation.

Files are compiled at runtime. Make sure to organize the files into packages.

Uhh... yes in some JVMs the files can be optimized at runtime using a JIT compiler but you still need to compile your *.java files into *.class files beforehand. Or go the GCJ route and compile them to native executables.

mikeshn - What are the large # of source files if you don't mind my asking? If it is a large project that uses a bunch of classes chances are it already has a build.xml. If they are just random classes what do you need to compile them for?

I guess I'll have to pick up a copy of Orielly's book on Jakarta Ant.

Depends on what you are trying to do. If all you are doing is compiling a couple of classes nah. Ant serves the same basic purpose as a make file. A waste for compiling a one two class application, a necessity for a large application (like Tomcat or Eclipse).

I found out ..

I can do as follows:
javac @sourcefiles

Note: sources files contains a list of all source files

M.S.

javac *.java