What is the purpose of 'import java.util.Scanner;' line?

The line import java.util.Scanner; is used to include the Scanner class from the java.util package in your Java program. The purpose of this import statement is as follows:

1. Access to Scanner Class: The Scanner class is part of the Java standard library and provides methods to read input from various sources, including user input from the console, files, and strings. By importing it, you can create instances of the Scanner class and use its methods in your code.

2. Avoiding Fully Qualified Names: Without the import statement, you would need to use the fully qualified name java.util.Scanner every time you want to create a Scanner object. Importing it allows you to simply use Scanner instead, making your code cleaner and easier to read.

3. Input Handling: The Scanner class is commonly used for reading input data, such as integers, strings, and other primitive types, which is essential for interactive console applications.

Here’s a simple example of how the Scanner class is used after importing it:

import java.util.Scanner;

public class Example {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Scanner scanner = new Scanner(System.in); // Create a Scanner object
        System.out.print("Enter your name: ");
        String name = scanner.nextLine(); // Read a line of input
        System.out.println("Hello, " + name + "!");
        scanner.close(); // Close the scanner
    }
}

In this example, the Scanner class is used to read user input from the console, demonstrating its purpose and utility in Java programs.