Java Nwebie Problem

I'm trying to use the Java compiler command in Command Prompt ("javac") to compile my source code. The ("java") command works right but when I go to use the ("javac") command my Command Prompt tells me that it's not recognized as an internal or external command and I don't understand why because it was working earlier this evening. What's wrong here?

You might be using one of the following java packages:

jre = Java Runtime Environment
jdk = Java Developer Kit

Jar, Java, Javac, etc... are located in the /bin directory of your java folder.

Firstly find your java directory, as an example mine is: C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.5.0_05\bin

Now go into the command prompt and type the command PATH

Look at the path, if your java directory isn't in it, you need to add the directory to it, this can be done like this:

path=%path%C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.5.0_05\bin

Replace 'C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.5.0_05\bin' with your java directory.

You will have to do this everytime you visit the command prompt as it isn't saved, i don't know how to save it, but i'm sure there is a way. Maybe someone else on here knows.

In the path command there's a typo. Should be:
path=%path%;C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.5.0_05\bin

Note the semicolon after the second %.

To save it, go to Control Panel->System->Advanced->Environment Variables.

Okay to save the path to the SDK in the Environment Variables, I edit the one that's currently there?

EDIT: I changed the path variable value but I have another question. What exactly does that do?

The path variable is where the OS looks for executables when you enter their name without a full path.

Oh so it's sort of like an auto complete feature for executables without a full path?

Yeah, sort of.

Hey thanks all.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CornedBee

In the path command there's a typo. Should be:
path=%path%;C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.5.0_05\bin

Note the semicolon after the second %.

To save it, go to Control Panel->System->Advanced->Environment Variables.

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The semi-colon is not necessary, i type the path the way i said on the computer at my university all the time, and it works every time.

Perhaps the original path at your university is ;-terminated to begin with?
Envvar substitution is stupid; I very much doubt Windows would realize you're concatenating two paths.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CornedBee

Perhaps the original path at your university is ;-terminated to begin with?
Envvar substitution is stupid; I very much doubt Windows would realize you're concatenating two paths.

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The original path at my university isn't ; terminated, nor is the path on my own computer, and i never use ; when setting the path. I assume that ; is optional.