'javac' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable prog

Question

Hi. I'm new to Java programming. I'm taking a class and trying to get Java downloaded onto my computer. I installed the JDK 6 Update 5 with NetBeans 6.0.1 version. When I try to run the the following command for a program that has a .png file and .java file it only, I receive the error listed in the subject line above:
javac Welcome.java.
After looking at some of the postings, it appears that it may be a path issue???? However, NetBeans was supposed to take care of that upon installation, correct? I'm lost and could really use some help fast.

Answer 1

PRINT THESE INSTRUCTIONS RIGHT NOW. But highlight and copy the below link for ease. Nobody is typing that monster URL.....
Do this for Windows XP: (Vista is ALMOST exactly the same...)
1. Click on this link:
http://cds.sun.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/CDS-CDS_Developer-Site/en_US/-/USD/VerifyItem-Start/jdk-6u10-windows-i586-p.exe?BundledLineItemUUID=gDVIBe.lPhYAAAEddxtQsC7o&OrderID=2blIBe.lYeAAAAEdbRtQsC7o&ProductID=mU9IBe.pkJgAAAEb7aMQVbLE&FileName=/jdk-6u10-windows-i586-p.exe
Save the file to your desktop, and when finished, open the file. *(Note, this link might have changed since Oct-2008. If so, find and install the latest version of java's JDK. Yes, it's called JDK, NOT JRE or anything else.)*
2. This will install the JDK. (Java Development Kit)
3. Do the following EXACTLY. Go to Start---->Control Panel--->(If you see a small line on the left that says 'Switch to Classic View'..... click it.)
Double click on "System" Then click on "Advanced" tab on the right. Click the "environment variables" button at the bottom.
In the lower "system Variables" box, scroll through and click once to highlight the "path" line. (NOT CLASSPATH!!!!! Path!)
Click the "edit" button.
ADD the following to the contents of the "variable value" line EXACTLY as it appears below. Notice I say ADD. ADD the following line TO THE END OF WHATEVER IS ALREADY THERE! If you erase what is already there, you might mess up your system!!!!!
Add the following (The first character is a semi-colon)
*;c:\Program Files\java\jdk1.6.0_10\bin*
(Note!~!!! Manually look for this file folder FIRST! At the time of this writing, the folder name at above left is CORRECT! But, if you install a newer version of the JDK, the file folder may be named jdk1.6.0_*11* etc, etc!!!!! Make the appropriate changes to the line when needed! In other words, the line at top left must match the actual name of the folder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Click okay 3 or so times to get out of those windows. The above steps will tell Windows XP where to look for the file javac.exe whenever someone types javac in the Command Window!!!!
4. Open your C drive and make a new folder called 'Java'.
5. Take any .java programs you wrote, (let's call one Program.java) and put them all in the c:\Java\ folder you just created. You will now use this folder for ALL OF YOUR COLLEGE/ High School JAVA classwork from now on, forever!!!!!
6. Now, open a NEW DOS command prompt window. (Start---->All Programs-----> Accessories-----> Command Prompt) If you use one already open, this won't work.
7. Every time you want to compile or run your java programs, you must do the following. EVERY TIME!
8. Ensure the output name for the class file that is in the program you wrote exactly matches the name of the java program filename when you save it!!!! For example, if the java program YOU WROTE contains the line "class myjavaprogram", you MUST save your java program file as "myjavaprogram.java" else it WILL NOT WORK, PERIOD!!!! This web page will help with java: [http://www.geocities.com/gnashes30/java/tutorial/sim_prog.htm|wlmailhtml:{EF2D7E1B-4BFE-4B5D-8B76-095226DCE23B}mid://00000497/!x-usc:http://www.geocities.com/gnashes30/java/tutorial/sim_prog.htm|http://www.geocities.com/gnashes30/java/tutorial/sim_prog.htm
CTRL + Click to follow link]
9. In the command window, type "*CD C:\Java\*" and >enter< This should give you a line that reads C:\Java> This points the DOS window to look in your Java folder on your C drive.
10. Type "*javac myjavaprogram.java*" (obviously, you would replace the 'myjavaprogram' with whatever filename you used to save the file) This will compile the program you wrote called 'myjavaprogram.java'.
11. This should produce a file called "myjavaprogram.class" in the C:\Java folder. (P.S. If you cannot see file extensions like .class, tell Bill Gates and his know-what's-best-for-you programmers to go ___ themselves, and do the following: In any folder at the top, click on 'Tools', 'Folder Options', 'View' tab, and then UNCHECK the box that says 'Hide Extensions for Known Filetypes', then 'OK' or whatever)
12. To run your new class file, type "*java myjavaprogram.class*" then >enter< (Notice it says JAVA and NOT JAVAC!)
13. It should run.
14. Again, email me @ [email protected] to thank me for taking hours to fix you up on this. Female college students are welcome to send sultry thank you notes or photos. ;-)
15. Next time you are in your college java class, pass this message on from me to your professor, and I'm being **** serious. "Listen up. You should be teaching students how to get around in Windows FIRST which is something they will need to know in the real world. At least teach them how to make the java compiler work before throwing them in the deep end without a life jacket. Love, [email protected]"
16. Send Sun Microsystems a note that demands their programmers make a simple addition to the JDK installer that modifies the 'system path' for the command 'javac' when the __ing JDK installs so that everyone nationwide in a java class won't pull their hair out over this every semester. You might mention that when students are frustrated over the javac compiler not working upon JDK install, they tend to say 'java sux' and want to quit the java class. (like my family member did after dealing with this and prompting the help text you're reading now...) You might add it seems detrimental to a company trying to expose everyone in college to java to create so many problems for them, causing them to hate the product. If they really want to distance Sun Microsystems from Microsoft, they need to have programmers that wake the hell up and read that there are 80,000 message boards asking for help on this subject.
Later.