How to Resolve 'Java Was Started But Returned Exit Code' Error?

What are the solutions for the 'Java was started but returned exit code' error?

// Example of Java code that may throw this error:
public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello, World!");
    }
}

The 'Java was started but returned exit code' error typically signifies an issue with Java's runtime environment or the configuration settings of your project. This error can arise in various situations, including when launching Java applications and during development in IDEs like Eclipse or IntelliJ IDEA.

// Example of increasing memory allocation for a Java application:
java -Xmx1024m -jar myapp.jar

Causes

• Incorrect Java version or JDK/JRE not installed properly.
• Misconfigured project settings in your IDE.
• Insufficient memory allocated to the Java application.
• Issues with the classpath settings.

Solutions

• Ensure you have the correct version of JDK/JRE that matches your project's requirements.
• Check your IDE settings to correct any misconfigurations that could lead to the error.
• Allocate more memory to the Java application by modifying the VM arguments (e.g., -Xmx512m for 512MB).
• Verify and update the classpath in your project settings to include the necessary libraries.

Mistake: Using a version of Java that is incompatible with your application.

Solution: Check the documentation for your application to confirm the required Java version.

Mistake: Not configuring the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) memory settings properly.

Solution: Adjust JVM arguments to allocate sufficient memory for the application.

Mistake: Overlooking environment variables, such as JAVA_HOME.

Solution: Ensure that JAVA_HOME is set and points to the correct JDK installation.