Java Packages

A package in Java is used to group related classes. Think of it as
a folder in a file directory. We use packages to avoid name conflicts, and 
to write a better maintainable code. Packages are divided into two categories:
Built-in Packages (packages from the Java API)
User-defined Packages (create your own packages)
The Java API is a library of prewritten classes, that are free to use, included in the
Java Development Environment.
The library contains components for managing input, database programming, and much much 
more. The complete list can be found at Oracles website: https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/api/.
The library is divided into packages and classes. 
Meaning you can either import a single class (along with its methods and 
attributes), or a whole package that contain 
all the classes that belong to the specified package.
To use a class or a package from the library, you need to use the import 
keyword:
import package.name.Class;   // Import a single class
import package.name.*;   // Import the whole package

If you find a class you want to use, for example, the Scanner class, which is used to get 
user input, write the following code:
import java.util.Scanner;

In the example above, java.util is a package, while Scanner is a class of 
the java.util package.
To use the Scanner class, create an object of the class and use any of the available methods found in the Scanner class documentation. 
In our example, we will use the nextLine() method, which is used to read a 
complete line:
Using the Scanner class to get user input:
import java.util.Scanner;

class MyClass {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    Scanner myObj = new Scanner(System.in);
    System.out.println("Enter username");

    String userName = myObj.nextLine();
    System.out.println("Username is: " + userName);
  }
}


Run Example »

There are many packages to choose from. In the previous example, we used the Scanner class from the java.util package. This package also contains date and time 
facilities, random-number generator and other utility classes.
To import a whole package, end the sentence with an asterisk sign (*). 
The following example 
will import ALL the classes in the java.util package:
import java.util.*;


Run Example »

To create your own package, you need to understand that Java uses a file system directory to store them. Just like folders on your computer:
└── root
  └── mypack
    └── MyPackageClass.java

To create a package, use the package keyword:
package mypack;
class MyPackageClass {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    System.out.println("This is my package!");
  }
}


Run Example »

Save the file as MyPackageClass.java, and compile it:
Then compile the package:
This forces the compiler to create the "mypack" package.
The -d keyword specifies the destination for where to save the class file. You 
  can use any directory name, like c:/user (windows), or, if you want to keep 
  the package within the same directory, you can use the dot sign ".", like in 
  the example above.
Note: The package name should be written in lower case to avoid conflict with class names.
When we compiled the package in the example above, a new folder was created, called "mypack".
To run the MyPackageClass.java file, write the following:
The output will be:
We just launchedW3Schools videos
Get certifiedby completinga course today!
If you want to report an error, or if you want to make a suggestion, do not hesitate to send us an e-mail:
help@w3schools.com
Your message has been sent to W3Schools.