Chapter 7. Packages and Modules

A package declaration in an ordinary compilation unit specifies the name (§6.2) of the package to which the compilation unit belongs.

The package name mentioned in a package declaration must be the fully qualified name of the package (§6.7).

The scope and shadowing of a package declaration is specified in §6.3 and §6.4.

The rules concerning annotation modifiers for a package declaration are specified in §9.7.4 and §9.7.5.

At most one annotated package declaration is permitted for a given package.

The manner in which this restriction is enforced must, of necessity, vary from implementation to implementation. The following scheme is strongly recommended for file-system-based implementations: The sole annotated package declaration, if it exists, is placed in a source file called package-info.java in the directory containing the source files for the package. This file does not contain the source for a class called package-info; indeed it would be illegal for it to do so, as package-info is not a legal identifier. Typically package-info.java contains only a package declaration, preceded immediately by the annotations on the package. While the file could technically contain the source code for one or more classes with package access, it would be very bad form.

It is recommended that package-info.java, if it is present, take the place of package.html for javadoc and other similar documentation generation systems. If this file is present, the documentation generation tool should look for the package documentation comment immediately preceding the (possibly annotated) package declaration in package-info.java. In this way, package-info.java becomes the sole repository for package-level annotations and documentation. If, in future, it becomes desirable to add any other package-level information, this file should prove a convenient home for this information.

An ordinary compilation unit that has no package declaration, but has at least one other kind of declaration, is part of an unnamed package.

Unnamed packages are provided by the Java SE Platform principally for convenience when developing small or temporary applications or when just beginning development.

An unnamed package cannot have subpackages, since the syntax of a package declaration always includes a reference to a named top level package.

An implementation of the Java SE Platform must support at least one unnamed package. An implementation may support more than one unnamed package, but is not required to do so. Which ordinary compilation units are in each unnamed package is determined by the host system.

The host system must associate ordinary compilation units in an unnamed package with an unnamed module (§7.7.5), not a named module.

class FirstCall {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Mr. Watson, come here. "
                           + "I want you.");
    }
}

In implementations of the Java SE Platform that use a hierarchical file system for storing packages, one typical strategy is to associate an unnamed package with each directory; only one unnamed package is observable at a time, namely the one that is associated with the "current working directory". The precise meaning of "current working directory" depends on the host system.

A package is observable if and only if at least one of the following is true:

The packages java, java.lang, and java.io are always observable.

One can conclude this from the rule above and from the rules of observable compilation units, as follows. The predefined package java.lang declares the class Object, so the compilation unit for Object is always observable (§7.3). Hence, the java.lang package is observable, and the java package also. Furthermore, since Object is observable, the array type Object[] implicitly exists. Its superinterface java.io.Serializable (§10.1) also exists, hence the java.io package is observable.

A package is visible to a module M if and only if an ordinary compilation unit containing a declaration of the package is visible to M.

Package visibility is meant to imply that a package is observable in a useful way to a given module. It is generally not useful to know that package P is observable merely because a subpackage P.Q is observable. For example, suppose P.Q is observable (in module M1) and P.R is observable (in module M2); then, P is observable, but where? In M1, or M2, or both? The question is redundant; during compilation of module N that requires only M1, it matters that P.Q is observable, but it does not matter that P is observable.

A package is uniquely visible to a module M if and only if one of the following holds:

A single-type-import declaration imports a single class or interface by giving its canonical name, making it available under a simple name in the module, class, and interface declarations of the compilation unit in which the single-type-import declaration appears.

The TypeName must be the canonical name of a class or interface (§6.7).

The class or interface must be either a member of a named package, or a member of a class or interface whose outermost lexically enclosing class or interface declaration (§8.1.3) is a member of a named package, or a compile-time error occurs.

It is a compile-time error if the named class or interface is not accessible (§6.6).

If two single-type-import declarations in the same compilation unit attempt to import classes or interfaces with the same simple name, then a compile-time error occurs, unless the two classes or interface are the same, in which case the duplicate declaration is ignored.

If the class or interface imported by the single-type-import declaration is declared as a top level class or interface (§7.6) in the compilation unit that contains the import declaration, then the import declaration is ignored.

If a single-type-import declaration imports a class or interface whose simple name is x, and the compilation unit also declares a top level class or interface whose simple name is x, a compile-time error occurs.

If a compilation unit contains both a single-type-import declaration that imports a class or interface whose simple name is x, and a single-static-import declaration (§7.5.3) that imports a class or interface whose simple name is x, a compile-time error occurs, unless the two classes or interfaces are the same, in which case the duplicate declaration is ignored.

import java.util.Vector;

import java.util.Vector;
class Vector { Object[] vec; }

import java.util.Vector;
import myVector.Vector;

package myVector;
public class Vector { Object[] vec; }

import java.util;
class Test { util.Random generator; }
  // incorrect: compile-time error

package Vector;
public class Mosquito { int capacity; }

package strange;
import java.util.Vector;
import Vector.Mosquito;
class Test {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println(new Vector().getClass());
        System.out.println(new Mosquito().getClass());
    }
}

class java.util.Vector
class Vector.Mosquito

A type-import-on-demand declaration allows all accessible classes and interfaces of a named package, class, or interface to be imported as needed.

The PackageOrTypeName must be the canonical name (§6.7) of a package, a class, or an interface.

If the PackageOrTypeName denotes a class or interface (§6.5.4), then the class or interface must be either a member of a named package, or a member of a class or interface whose outermost lexically enclosing class or interface declaration (§8.1.3) is a member of a named package, or a compile-time error occurs.

It is a compile-time error if the named package is not uniquely visible to the current module (§7.4.3), or if the named class or interface is not accessible (§6.6).

It is not a compile-time error to name either java.lang or the named package of the current compilation unit in a type-import-on-demand declaration. The type-import-on-demand declaration is ignored in such cases.

Two or more type-import-on-demand declarations in the same compilation unit may name the same package, class, or interface. All but one of these declarations are considered redundant; the effect is as if that type was imported only once.

If a compilation unit contains both a type-import-on-demand declaration and a static-import-on-demand declaration (§7.5.4) that name the same class or interface, the effect is as if the static member classes and interfaces of that class or interface (§8.5, §9.5) are imported only once.

import java.util.*;

A single-static-import declaration imports all accessible static members with a given simple name from a class or interface. This makes these static members available under their simple name in the module, class, and interface declarations of the compilation unit in which the single-static-import declaration appears.

The TypeName must be the canonical name (§6.7) of a class or interface.

The class or interface must be either a member of a named package, or a member of a class or interface whose outermost lexically enclosing class or interface declaration (§8.1.3) is a member of a named package, or a compile-time error occurs.

It is a compile-time error if the named class or interface is not accessible (§6.6).

The Identifier must name at least one static member of the named class or interface. It is a compile-time error if there is no static member of that name, or if all of the named members are not accessible.

It is permissible for one single-static-import declaration to import several fields, classes, or interfaces with the same name, or several methods with the same name and signature. This occurs when the named class or interface inherits multiple fields, member classes, member interfaces, or methods, all with the same name, from its own supertypes.

If two single-static-import declarations in the same compilation unit attempt to import classes or interface with the same simple name, then a compile-time error occurs, unless the two classes or interfaces are the same, in which case the duplicate declaration is ignored.

If a single-static-import declaration imports a class or interface whose simple name is x, and the compilation unit also declares a top level class or interface (§7.6) whose simple name is x, a compile-time error occurs.

If a compilation unit contains both a single-static-import declaration that imports a class or interface whose simple name is x, and a single-type-import declaration (§7.5.1) that imports a class or interface whose simple name is x, a compile-time error occurs, unless the two classes or interfaces are the same, in which case the duplicate declaration is ignored.

A static-import-on-demand declaration allows all accessible static members of a named class or interface to be imported as needed.

The TypeName must be the canonical name (§6.7) of a class or interface.

The class or interface must be either a member of a named package, or a member of a class or interface whose outermost lexically enclosing class or interface declaration (§8.1.3) is a member of a named package, or a compile-time error occurs.

It is a compile-time error if the named class or interface is not accessible (§6.6).

Two or more static-import-on-demand declarations in the same compilation unit may name the same class or interface; the effect is as if there was exactly one such declaration.

Two or more static-import-on-demand declarations in the same compilation unit may name the same member; the effect is as if the member was imported exactly once.

It is permissible for one static-import-on-demand declaration to import several fields, classes, or interfaces with the same name, or several methods with the same name and signature. This occurs when the named class or interface inherits multiple fields, member classes, member interfaces, or methods, all with the same name, from its own supertypes.

If a compilation unit contains both a static-import-on-demand declaration and a type-import-on-demand declaration (§7.5.2) that name the same class or interface, the effect is as if the static member classes and interfaces of that class or interface (§8.5, §9.5) are imported only once.

The requires directive specifies the name of a module on which the current module has a dependence.

A requires directive must not appear in the declaration of the java.base module, or a compile-time error occurs, because it is the primordial module and has no dependences (§8.1.4).

If the declaration of a module does not express a dependence on the java.base module, and the module is not itself java.base, then the module has an implicitly declared dependence on the java.base module.

The requires keyword may be followed by the modifier transitive. This causes any module which requires the current module to have an implicitly declared dependence on the module specified by the requires transitive directive.

The requires keyword may be followed by the modifier static. This specifies that the dependence, while mandatory at compile time, is optional at run time.

If the declaration of a module expresses a dependence on the java.base module, and the module is not itself java.base, then it is a compile-time error if a modifier appears after the requires keyword.

It is a compile-time error if more than one requires directive in a module declaration specifies the same module name.

It is a compile-time error if resolution, as described in the java.lang.module package specification, with the current module as the only root module, fails for any of the reasons described in the java.lang.module package specification.

For example, if a requires directive specifies a module that is not observable, or if the current module directly or indirectly expresses a dependence on itself.

If resolution succeeds, then its result specifies the modules that are read by the current module. The modules read by the current module determine which ordinary compilation units are visible to the current module (§7.3). The types declared in those ordinary compilation units (and only those ordinary compilation units) may be accessible to code in the current module (§6.6).

The Java SE Platform distinguishes between named modules that are explicitly declared (that is, with a module declaration) and named modules that are implicitly declared (that is, automatic modules). However, the Java programming language does not surface the distinction: requires directives refer to named modules without regard for whether they are explicitly declared or implicitly declared.

While automatic modules are convenient for migration, they are unreliable in the sense that their names and exported packages may change when their authors convert them to explicitly declared modules. A Java compiler is encouraged to issue a warning if a requires directive refers to an automatic module. An especially strong warning is recommended if the transitive modifier appears in the directive.

module m.A {
    requires m.B;
}

module m.B {
    requires transitive m.C;
}

module m.C {
    requires transitive m.D;
}

module m.D {
    exports p;
}

package p;
public class Point {}

package client;
import p.Point;
public class Test {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println(new Point());
    }
}

javac --module-source-path . -d . --module m.D
javac --module-source-path . -d . --module m.C
javac --module-source-path . -d . --module m.B
javac --module-source-path . -d . --module m.A

java --module-path . --module m.A/client.Test

The exports directive specifies the name of a package to be exported by the current module. For code in other modules, this grants access at compile time and run time to the public and protected types in the package, and the public and protected members of those types (§6.6). It also grants reflective access to those types and members for code in other modules.

The opens directive specifies the name of a package to be opened by the current module. For code in other modules, this grants access at run time, but not compile time, to the public and protected types in the package, and the public and protected members of those types. It also grants reflective access to all types in the package, and all their members, for code in other modules.

It is a compile-time error if the package specified by exports is not declared by a compilation unit associated with the current module (§7.3).

It is permitted for opens to specify a package which is not declared by a compilation unit associated with the current module. (If the package should happen to be declared by an observable compilation unit associated with another module, the opens directive has no effect on that other module.)

It is a compile-time error if more than one exports directive in a module declaration specifies the same package name.

It is a compile-time error if more than one opens directive in a module declaration specifies the same package name.

It is a compile-time error if an opens directive appears in the declaration of an open module.

If an exports or opens directive has a to clause, then the directive is qualified; otherwise, it is unqualified. For a qualified directive, the public and protected types in the package, and their public and protected members, are accessible solely to code in the modules specified in the to clause. The modules specified in the to clause are referred to as friends of the current module. For an unqualified directive, these types and their members are accessible to code in any module.

It is permitted for the to clause of an exports or opens directive to specify a module which is not observable (§7.7.6).

It is a compile-time error if the to clause of a given exports directive specifies the same module name more than once.

It is a compile-time error if the to clause of a given opens directive specifies the same module name more than once.

The uses directive specifies a service for which code in the current module may discover providers via java.util.ServiceLoader.

It is a compile-time error if a uses directive specifies an enum class (§8.9).

The service may be declared in the current module or in another module. If the service is not declared in the current module, then the service must be accessible to code in the current module (§6.6), or a compile-time error occurs.

It is a compile-time error if more than one uses directive in a module declaration specifies the same service.

The provides directive specifies a service for which the with clause specifies one or more service providers to java.util.ServiceLoader.

It is a compile-time error if a provides directive specifies an enum class (§8.9) as the service.

The service may be declared in the current module or in another module. If the service is not declared in the current module, then the service must be accessible to code in the current module (§6.6), or a compile-time error occurs.

Every service provider must be a public class or interface that is either top level or static, or a compile-time error occurs.

Every service provider must be declared in the current module, or a compile-time error occurs.

If a service provider explicitly declares a public constructor with no formal parameters, or implicitly declares a public default constructor (§8.8.9), then that constructor is called the provider constructor.

If a service provider explicitly declares a public static method called provider with no formal parameters, then that method is called the provider method.

If a service provider has a provider method, then its return type must (i) either be declared in the current module, or be declared in another module and be accessible to code in the current module; and (ii) be a subtype of the service specified in the provides directive; or a compile-time error occurs.

While a service provider that is specified by a provides directive must be declared in the current module, its provider method may have a return type that is declared in another module. Also, note that when a service provider declares a provider method, the service provider itself need not be a subtype of the service.

If a service provider does not have a provider method, then that service provider must have a provider constructor and must be a subtype of the service specified in the provides directive, or a compile-time error occurs.

It is a compile-time error if more than one provides directive in a module declaration specifies the same service.

It is a compile-time error if the with clause of a given provides directive specifies the same service provider more than once.

An observable ordinary compilation unit that the host system does not associate with a named module (§7.3) is associated with an unnamed module.

Unnamed modules are provided by the Java SE Platform in recognition of the fact that programs developed prior to Java SE 9 could not declare named modules. In addition, the reasons for the Java SE Platform providing unnamed packages (§7.4.2) are largely applicable to unnamed modules.

An implementation of the Java SE Platform must support at least one unnamed module. An implementation may support more than one unnamed module, but is not required to do so. Which ordinary compilation units are associated with each unnamed module is determined by the host system.

The host system may associate ordinary compilation units in a named package with an unnamed module.

The rules for unnamed modules are designed to maximize their interoperation with named modules, as follows:

A module is observable if at least one of the following is true: