Problems with non-sun classes

Question

Hi, here it is my problem :
I'm now learning Java and 'till this moment I haven't realised that I can't import in my source code my own classes. For example when I write this code : import java.awt.*; I have no problems but if I write : import files.prj.MyClass; a problem occurs. I tried to include the class in the package where MyClass is but the problem still doesn't take away. I tried to use written by someone else codes(Runner.java and RaceApplet.java uploaded at suns code samples) but nothing happened.
Here it is what the javac shows :
RaceApplet.java:15: cannot resolve symbol
symbol : class Runner
location : class RaceApplet
private Runner[] runners = new Runner[NUMRUNNERS];
^
RaceApplet.java:15: cannot resolve symbol
symbol : class Runner
location : class RaceApplet
private Runner[] runners = new Runner[NUMRUNNERS];
^
RaceApplet.java:22: cannot resolve symbol
symbol : class Runner
location : class RaceApplet
runners[i] = new Runner();
^
I think the problem is with the variable CLASSPATH or PATH(I'm a windows user) but tell me how to initialize them!
Thank you!

Answer 1

On Windows XP and NT (and I think 2000), you set the Classpath using the Control Panel/System and finding Environmental variables. On Windows 98, you use the autoexec.bat as Kayman posted.
In order to import files.prj.MyClass, the file path files\prj\MyClass.class must exist in a directory that is in the Classpath when you compile. For example if . (the current directory) is in your Classpath you can CD to the directory that contains the files directory and compile from there.