Unable to execute javac..

Question

Lo all.. I installed Java 2 SDK 1.4.0 and added F:\j2sdk1.4.0_01\bin to my PATH variable. When I try to execute javac, I get this: 'javac' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.
What can I do to fix this? I am able to execute java fine, but lol..
Thanx.

Answer 1

Hello Nylex,
You do not need to set the CLASSPATH environmental variable to access the system classes in JDK 1.3.x and later. You should set the PATH environmental variable however. While setting the PATH environmental variable is not strictly required, it is highly recommend and widely used in practice. If you don't set the PATH environmental variable, you need to specify the full path to the executable every time you run it. It's useful to set the PATH environmental variable permanently so it will persist after rebooting.
On a Windows platform you will need to open a DOS command line window. Assuming that you installed J2SDK 1.4.0 on your C: drive in a folder called j2sdk1.4.0_01, then you could run the 'java' command like this:
C:\>C:\j2sdk1.4.0_01\bin\javac Test.java This explicitly points to the Java 2 SDK executable, javac.exe, in the bin directory of J2SDK 1.4.0_01 installation on drive C:.
To permanently set PATH environment variable on Windows/NT and Windows/2000:
1. Choose Start, Settings, Control Panel, and double-click System properties icon.
2a. On Microsoft Windows/NT, select the Environment tab.
2b. On Microsoft Windows/2000 and Windows/XP select the Advanced tab and then Environment Variables.
3. Look for "Path" in the User Variables and System Variables.
4. Add the path to the right end of the "Path" in the User Variables.
To permanently set PATH environment variable on Windows/XP:
1. Choose Start, Control Panel, and double-click System properties icon.
2. Select the Advanced tab and then Environment Variables button.
3. Look for "Path" in the User Variables and System Variables.
4. Add the path to the right end of the "Path" in the System Variables.
The path for the previous example would be:
C:\j2sdk1.4.0_01\bin
The PATH environment variable on Windows is not case sensitive. The PATH can be a series of directories separated
by semi-colons (;). Click "Set", "Apply" and "OK".
To permanently set PATH environment variable on Windows/95 and Windows/98:
1. Open the AUTOEXEC.BAT file and add or change the PATH statement as follows:
a. Start the system editor. Choose "Start", "Run" and enter sysedit, then click OK.
b. The system editor starts up with several windows showing.
Go to the window that is displaying AUTOEXEC.BAT.
c. Look for the PATH statement. If you don't have one, add one.
If you're not sure where to add the path, add it to the right end of the PATH.
For example, in the following PATH statement, we have added the bin directory at the right end:
PATH C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND;C:\J2SDK1.4.0_01\bin
d. To make the path take effect in the current Command Prompt window, execute the following:
C:>c:\autoexec.bat
To permanently set PATH environment variable on Windows/ME:
1. From the start menu, choose programs, accessories, system tools, and system information.
This brings up a window titled "Microsoft Help and Support".
2. From here, choose the tools menu, then select the system configuration utility. Click the
environment tab, select PATH and press the edit button. Now add the SDK to your path
as described in step b above. After you've added the location of the SDK to your PATH,
save the changes and reboot your machine when prompted.
To determine if the current value of your PATH, at the command prompt, type:
-Merwyn,
Developer Technical Support,
http://www.sun.com/developers/support.