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Operators & Input · Lesson 23 of 150

Command-Line Arguments

Command-line arguments are values passed to a Java program at the moment it is run from the terminal, rather than typed in while the program is running. They arrive inside the String[] args parameter of the main method.

2 min read

01What are Command-Line Arguments?

Command-line arguments are values passed to a Java program at the moment it is run from the terminal, rather than typed in while the program is running. They arrive inside the String[] args parameter of the main method.

02Why is it used?

They let a program behave differently based on values supplied right when it starts — useful for configuration options, file names, or settings, without needing to modify the program's code itself.

03Real-Life Example

Think of starting a washing machine and selecting a wash mode (quick wash, heavy wash) using the dial before pressing start. You're supplying a setting upfront, before the machine begins its main task — similar to how command-line arguments are supplied before the program runs.

04Syntax

java
public static void main(String[] args) {
    // args[0], args[1], etc. hold the values passed
}
java ProgramName value1 value2

05Example Program

java
public class CommandLineDemo {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        if (args.length > 0) {
            System.out.println("Hello, " + args[0] + "!");
        } else {
            System.out.println("No name provided.");
        }
    }
}

Output (when run as `java CommandLineDemo Rahul`):

Hello, Rahul!

06Key Points to Remember

  • args is always a String array, even if you pass numbers — you must convert them manually if needed (e.g., using Integer.parseInt()).
  • args.length tells you how many values were passed.
  • Command-line arguments are supplied before the program starts, unlike Scanner input which is read while the program is running.

Practice Problems

Try each question yourself first, then check the answer.

1

The basics of args

What is the type of args, and how do you find out how many values were passed?

Show answer
args is a String[] (an array of String). args.length tells you how many arguments were passed.
2

Predict the output

java
public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        if (args.length > 0) {
            System.out.println("Hello, " + args[0] + "!");
        } else {
            System.out.println("No name provided.");
        }
    }
}

What is printed when run as java Main Rahul? And when run as java Main with no arguments?

Show answer
java Main Rahul prints Hello, Rahul!. java Main prints No name provided. (because args.length is 0).
3

Why the numbers do not add

You run java Sum 8 5 and write System.out.println(args[0] + args[1]);. It prints 85, not 13. Why, and how do you fix it?

Show answer
args[0] and args[1] are the Strings "8" and "5", so + concatenates them. Convert first: Integer.parseInt(args[0]) + Integer.parseInt(args[1]) gives 13.
4

Compare with Scanner

Name two differences between command-line arguments and Scanner input.

Show answer
(1) Command-line arguments are supplied once, on the launch command, before the program runs; Scanner reads input while the program is running. (2) Arguments always arrive as String and must be converted manually; Scanner has typed methods like nextInt() and nextDouble().

Mock Test

  • Command-Line Arguments - Quick Test

    10 questions on values passed through String[] args when a program starts.

    10 questions · 10 min · Easy
    Start Mock Test

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