Check the scope

Make sure that the symbol you are trying to reference is within the scope of the current code block.

Example 1:

Java

// Java Program to demonstrate scope of code 
public class Main { 
    public static void main(String[] args) 
    { 
        int x = 5; 
        if (x > 0) { 
            int y = 10; 
        } 
        // error: cannot find symbol 
        System.out.println(y); 
    } 
}

Output:

./Main.java:8: error: cannot find symbol
                System.out.println(y);
                                   ^
  symbol:   variable y
  location: class Main

Explanation of the above program

In this program, we define an integer variable x and initialize it to 5. We then have an if statement that checks if x is greater than 0. If it is, we define another integer variable y, and initialize it to 10. However, y is only within the scope of the if block, and cannot be accessed outside of it.

Example 2:

Java

public class Main { 
    public static void main(String[] args) { 
        int x = 5; 
        int y = 0; 
        if (x > 0) { 
            y = 10; 
        } 
        System.out.println(y); 
    } 
} 

Output

Check the import statements

Make sure that any classes or packages that you are trying to reference are imported properly.

Example 1:

Java

// java program to demonstrate wrong use of import 
// statements 
import java.util.Rand; 
  
public class Main { 
    public static void main(String[] args) 
    { 
        Rand rand = new Rand(); 
        int x = rand.nextInt(10); 
        System.out.println("Random number: " + x); 
    } 
}

Output:

./Main.java:1: error: cannot find symbol
import java.util.Rand;
                ^
  symbol:   class Rand
  location: package java.util
./Main.java:6: error: cannot find symbol
        Rand rand = new Rand();
        ^
  symbol:   class Rand
  location: class Main
./Main.java:6: error: cannot find symbol
        Rand rand = new Rand();
                        ^
  symbol:   class Rand
  location: class Main

Example 2:

Java

import java.util.Random; 
  
public class Main { 
    public static void main(String[] args) { 
        Random rand = new Random(); 
        int x = rand.nextInt(10); 
        System.out.println("Random number: " + x); 
    } 
} 

Output

Random number: 3

How to Resolve The Cannot Find Symbol Error in Java?

The Cannot Find Symbol Error in Java error occurs when the Java compiler cannot find a symbol that you are trying to reference in your code. In this article, we will explore how to resolve the “Cannot Find Symbol” error in Java.

The “Cannot Find Symbol” error occurs when you are trying to reference a symbol that has not been defined or imported properly. Symbols can include variables, methods, and classes or in easy language when you try to reference an undeclared variable in your code. The error typically occurs when you have made a typo, used the wrong case in the symbol name, or when you are trying to reference a symbol that is out of scope. You may also encounter this error when you are using multiple files, and the compiler cannot find a class or package that you are trying to reference.

Common mistakes that lead to “Cannot Find Symbol” error in Java and resolving them, you can follow these steps:

Typos
Undeclared Variable
Scope of Current block
Import Statement

Tags:

#Java Errors #Java #Java

Undeclared Variable

Check the scope

Java

Java

Check the import statements

Java

Java

How to Resolve The Cannot Find Symbol Error in Java?

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