Unclosed Character Literal error

Question

Got the error "Unclosed Character Literal" , using BlueJ, when writing:

class abc
{
   public static void main(String args[])
   {
       String y;
       y = 'hello';
       System.out.println(y);
   }
}

But I can't figure out what is wrong. Any idea?

Thanks.

Solution 1

In Java, single quotes can only take one character, with escape if necessary. You need to use full quotation marks as follows for strings:

y = "hello";

You also used

System.out.println(g);

which I assume should be

System.out.println(y);

Note: When making char values (you'll likely use them later) you need single quotes. For example:

char foo='m';

Solution 2

Java uses double quotes for "String" and single quotes for 'C'haracters.

Solution 3

I'd like to give a small addition to the existing answers. You get the same "Unclosed Character Literal error", if you give value to a char with incorrect unicode form. Like when you write:

char HI = '\3072';

You have to use the correct form which is:

char HI = '\u3072';

Solution 4

'' encloses single char, while "" encloses a String.

Change

y = 'hello';

-->

y = "hello";

Solution 5

String y = "hello";

would work (note the double quotes).

char y = 'h'; this will work for chars (note the single quotes)

but the type is the key: '' (single quotes) for one char, "" (double quotes) for string.

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