Newbie with compilation problem

Question

Hi, I am trying to compile my program, and I have a problem importing a class. When I try to compile, it says:
package org.apache.axis.encoding does not exist
encodedImage = org.apache.axis.encoding.Base64.encode(
I think it is quite likely something to do with the Class Path, but I do not fully understand what the class path is or does exactly? Could some one please explain the Class Path? And do I need to put another line into it?
Any responses will be very much appreciated.
Thank you.
Tim.

Answer 1

Basically, the classpath allows Java to locate a given class. The class path usually specifies one of two items:
Start of compiled class directory. So, names will be resolved relative to this classpath entry. If you have a class called com.foo.testing, then whatever directory contains com/foo/testing as a directory structure in the filesystem should be a classpath entry
External or deployed JAR files. JAR files take the compiled class directory structure (above) and places it in an archive file, like a ZIP file. (Note that a lot of other things will be in the JAR file when you deploy as a web-app, but for now, this is simple enough). Rather than specifying a directory, you have to explicitly locate the JAR file itself. So, if you have a directory of JAR files, you need to specify each one.Your classpath issue seems to me related to the JAR issue. The Apache JAR that you need has to be specified on the classpath. You normally do this by:
java -cp [classpath entries] [fully-qualified Java class name]
Note that classpath entries can have multiple classpath items. These are separated by a colon (in Unix/Linux) or a semi-colon (Windows).
Hope that helps.
- Saish
"My karma ran over your dogma." - Anon