---

id: 90

slug: "io-class-console-io"

title: "IO class for console I/O"

category: "io"

difficulty: "beginner"

jdkVersion: "25"

oldLabel: "Java 8"

modernLabel: "Java 25+"

oldApproach: "System.out / Scanner"

modernApproach: "IO class"

oldCode: |-

import java.util.Scanner;

Scanner sc = new Scanner(System.in);

System.out.print("Name: ");

String name = sc.nextLine();

System.out.println("Hello, " + name);

sc.close();

modernCode: |-

String name = IO.readln("Name: ");

IO.println("Hello, " + name);

summary: "The new IO class provides simple, concise methods for console input and\

\ output."

explanation: "Java 25 introduces the IO class (java.io.IO) as part of the implicitly\

\ declared classes feature. It provides static methods like println(), print(),\

\ readln(), and read() that replace the verbose combination of System.out and Scanner.\

\ IO.readln(prompt) handles both prompting and reading in a single call. The class\

\ is automatically available in compact source files and can be used in traditional\

\ classes via import."

whyModernWins:

- icon: "✨"

title: "Dramatically simpler"

desc: "Two methods replace seven lines of Scanner setup, prompting, reading, and\

\ cleanup."

- icon: "🔒"

title: "No resource leaks"

desc: "No Scanner to close — IO methods handle resource management internally."

- icon: "🎓"

title: "Beginner-friendly"

desc: "New developers can do console I/O without learning Scanner, System.out, or\

\ import statements."

support:

state: "preview"

description: "Preview in JDK 25 as part of implicitly declared classes (JEP 495)"

prev: "io/http-client"

next: "io/reading-files"

related:

- "language/compact-source-files"

- "language/module-import-declarations"

- "io/reading-files"

docs:

- title: "Simple Source Files (JEP 495)"

href: "https://openjdk.org/jeps/495"

- title: "IO"

href: "https://docs.oracle.com/en/java/javase/25/docs/api/java.base/java/lang/IO.html"