Java cannot find symbol

Compilation error in Java occurs when the code you have written contains syntax or semantic errors that prevent the code from being compiled.

This compiler error occurs when the Java compiler encounters a reference to a symbol — like a variable, method, or class — that it cannot resolve due to various reasons. Understanding this error is crucial for efficient debugging and smooth coding experience. It signifies that the Java compiler has encountered a reference to something that it does not recognize. To effectively resolve this error, it is essential to understand how to interpret the error message and identify the problematic code line. For instance:. In this example, the error is on line 10 of Test.

Java cannot find symbol

The Cannot Find Symbol in Java is a compilation error that occurs when we try to refer to something that is not present in the Java Symbol Table. A very common example of this error is using a variable that is not declared in the program. Java compilers create and maintain Symbol tables. The symbol table stores the information of the identifiers i. When we use these identifiers in our code, the compiler looks up to the symbol table for information. If the identifier is not declared or is not present in the given scope the compiler throws 'Cannot Find Symbol'. There are multiple ways and reasons this error can occur, they all boil down to the fact that the online Java compiler couldn't find the identifier in the Symbol table. Some of the very commonly made mistakes are listed below:. Let us take a very simple example of a function that takes user input of a number and returns if the number is even or odd. In the example above, the Scanner class is not imported and thus it is throwing a Cannot Find Symbol error. The compiler is not able to find Scanner in the program. Once we import the package, it is able to identify the Scanner class. Another example is wrong spelling and undeclared variables. Let us take a simple example where we multiply a variable a few times in a loop. In the example above we can see 3 errors, all of them being 'cannot find symbol'.

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The Cannot Find Symbol Error in Java error occurs when the Java compiler cannot find a symbol that you are trying to reference in your code. Symbols can include variables, methods, and classes or in easy language when you try to reference an undeclared variable in your code. The error typically occurs when you have made a typo, used the wrong case in the symbol name, or when you are trying to reference a symbol that is out of scope. You may also encounter this error when you are using multiple files, and the compiler cannot find a class or package that you are trying to reference. Make sure that the symbol you are trying to reference is spelled correctly and matches the case used in the definition.

You want to compile some Java source code e. If MyClass can be found in your library, you most likely are missing an import statement at the top of the file where the error occurs. The concept and term of a symbol is used in many different programming languages. Hence, MyClass is used as a symbol to refer to your previous full declaration of MyClass. Problem: You want to compile some Java source code e. First, check if you have imported MyClass correctly.

Java cannot find symbol

A symbol refers to an identifier in the compilation process in Java. All the identifiers used in the source code are collected into a symbol table in the lexical analysis stage. The symbol table is a very significant data structure created and maintained by the compilers to store all the identifiers and their information. This information is entered into the symbol tables during lexical and syntax analysis which is then used in multiple phases of compilation.

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You can suggest the changes for now and it will be under the article's discussion tab. This error typically occurs when there is an issue with variable scope and declaration. Save Article Save. Table of Contents. Mehul Mohan. Article Tags :. Sharing is caring Did you like what Rishabh Rao wrote? Writing clean and organized code also plays a crucial role in avoiding such errors. Report issue Report. There are multiple ways and reasons this error can occur, they all boil down to the fact that the online Java compiler couldn't find the identifier in the Symbol table. This can be easily fixed by double-checking the spelling of the symbol. Classpath issues arise when the Java compiler cannot locate user-defined classes, packages, or third-party libraries. No comments so far. Use of underscore, dollar sign, numbers, letter even a character before or after different from the initial declaration can cause 'Cannot Find Symbol'.

When a Java program is being compiled, the compiler creates a list of all the identifiers in use.

This article is being improved by another user right now. Missing import statements can cause the error too. For example:. StringUtils library, but the compiler cannot find this library. They can pinpoint the exact location of the error, saving time and frustration. For instance: Test. Modern Java in Action: Lambdas, streams, functional and reactive programming. Easy Normal Medium Hard Expert. Please go through our recently updated Improvement Guidelines before submitting any improvements. Make sure that the symbol you are trying to reference is spelled correctly and matches the case used in the definition. View More. Let us take a simple example where we multiply a variable a few times in a loop. It signifies that the Java compiler has encountered a reference to something that it does not recognize. The symbol table stores the information of the identifiers i. This error occurs when the compiler cannot find the definition of a class or library that you are trying to use.