Is There an Interactive REPL Mode for Java Similar to Python's?

Does Java have an interactive REPL mode similar to Python's? How can I execute Java code snippets like InetAddress.getAllByName(localHostName) directly?

// Example code for InetAddress
import java.net.*;

public class Test {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception {
        String localHostName = "localhost";
        InetAddress[] addresses = InetAddress.getAllByName(localHostName);
        for (InetAddress address : addresses) {
            System.out.println(address);
        }
    }
}

Java does not have a built-in REPL (Read-Eval-Print Loop) as Python does, but there are alternative tools that allow you to execute Java code interactively, enhancing testing and learning efficiency.

// Example of using JShell to execute a command directly
JShell jShell = JShell.create();
String localHostName = "localhost";
List<InetAddress> addresses = InetAddress.getAllByName(localHostName);
for (InetAddress address: addresses) {
    System.out.println(address);
}

Causes

• Java's design emphasizes a class-based structure, requiring a main method to run code, which inherently limits interactive capabilities.
• The Java programming ecosystem traditionally relies on compiled programs rather than interpreted execution.

Solutions

• Use JShell, which is included with the Java Development Kit (JDK) 9 and later versions for a REPL experience.
• Explore IDEs with interactive features, such as IntelliJ IDEA or Eclipse, which allow for on-the-fly code execution.

Mistake: Failing to install JDK 9 or later, as JShell is not available in older versions.

Solution: Ensure you have the latest version of JDK installed to access JShell.

Mistake: Not using the correct syntax or imports when operating in a JShell environment.

Solution: Familiarize yourself with JShell's import commands to correctly include Java libraries before executing code.