Bashscripts.org

I have a bash script that calls a java class method. The method returns a string to the linux console when run independently. how can I assign the value from the java method to a variable in a bash script?

running the script: java -cp /opt/my_dir/class.method [parameter]

output: my_string

if added in a bash script:

read parameter
java -cp /opt/my_dir/class.method [parameter] | read the_output
echo $the_output

the above doesnt work, I also tried unsuccessfully:
the_output=java -cp /opt/my_dir/class.method [parameter]
the_output=`java -cp /opt/my_dir/class.method [parameter]`
java -cp /opt/my_dir/class.method [parameter] 2>&1

How can i get the output stored into the_output variable?

thanks.

either:
or:
should store the entire output of the java command to the_output