Java file path in Linux

Looks like you are missing a leading slash. Perhaps try:

Scanner s = new Scanner(new File("/home/me/java/ex.txt"));

(as to where it looks for files by default, it is where the JVM is run from for relative paths like the one you have in your question)

The Official Documentation is clear about Path.

Linux Syntax: /home/joe/foo

Windows Syntax: C:\home\joe\foo

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Note: joe is your username for these examples.

I think Todd is correct, but I think there's one other thing you should consider. You can reliably get the home directory from the JVM at runtime, and then you can create files objects relative to that location. It's not that much more trouble, and it's something you'll appreciate if you ever move to another computer or operating system.

File homedir = new File(System.getProperty("user.home"));
File fileToRead = new File(homedir, "java/ex.txt");