why and how isn't mkdir working

Question

how does mkdir work? I've been trying to install java, and when I type:

mkdir -p /usr/local/java

nothing happens except the terminal just writes it down. when I get to later steps, it says that directory /usr/local/java doesn't exist

Solution

All system folders are owned by root; thus,you need root permissions:

sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/java

Comments

[Matt O.]

Are you using sudo if you're non-root user? /usr/local is owned by root, therefore mkdir won't work without the proper privileges.

[Sergiy Kolodyazhnyy]

Are these exact steps youre doing ? No error ? mkdir should produce "Permission denied" error because /usr beling to root, yet you said "nothing happens". Can you clarify, please

[Matt O.]

Paying attention to this users score, it's advisable to explain why he needs root permissions to prevent repeat questions in the future.

[Sergiy Kolodyazhnyy]

sudo is indeed necessary, however note that OP said nothing happens if they do the command as regular user. However, mkdir should produce "Permission denied" error. There's discrepancy

[cyclingLinguist]

I too have the same problem even using sudo.