Why isn't 'java Class' working like normal from the current directory?

Question

I have a simple program that works fine in a previous environment. I've moved it to a new one with the same OS and Java versions, but have encountered a problem executing the class files.

Never have I had a problem running a java class in the same directory but when I try java Class I get the error could not find or load main class.

I've already looked over all the suggestions, one of the most popular being to add the classpath and run it as java -cp . Class. However this has never been necessary in all the environments I've worked in, including the previous one which was identical to this. Why would this happen and how can I fix it?

Note: In case you wonder, java -cp . Class works for a small test program with no dependencies, but results in a JNI error which has no clear resolution, related to a jar file that is both on the bashrc classpath and the current directory (when specifying -cp .). Regardless, I just want to execute classes like normal.

UPDATE

I'm certain this is an environment issue, but here is the code. I am calling it as java Test, NOT java test or java Test.class.

class Test {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Test complete!");
    }
}

Answer 1

You need to compile your Java source code with javac Test.java which makes a new file named Test.class before you run it. Otherwise you will get this error message: Error: Could not find or load main class Test as shown below. If you run these commands one at a time, it will show you which command gives unexpected results.

$ cat Test.java
class Test {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Test complete!");
    }
}
$ java Test
Error: Could not find or load main class Test
$ javac Test.java  
$ ls
Test.class  Test.java
$ java Test
Test complete!
$ java -cp ~/Desktop/ Test # test using classpath
Test complete!

As you can see, the last command has the directory containing the Test executable file after the -cp classpath option, not the Test file itself as you wrote in your question.