New to Linux

Hello All,
I'm a total newcomer to linux, I've succeeded in installing the Jdk, but can't figure out how to set the path variable. How is this done and can anyone recommend a good book for a programmer just moving to linux.
Cheers
Randy

Do you mean path as in how to find executables (java, javac etc.) ? - in which case you should put a line something like:
export PATH=/usr/local/jdk1.3.1/bin:$PATH
in either the file ".profile" in your home directory (type "ls -a" to see 'hidden' files like these) or in the file "/etc/profile" if you wish the JDK tools to be available to all users.
If you mean the CLASSPATH, used to find java classes and jar files, the procedure is simlar, but substitute CLASSPATH for PATH.
Has this helped?

Thanks that was just what I was Looking for. Care to recommend a good linux reference?
Randy

As a quick command and tool reference you have to go a long way to beat "Linux in a Nutshell" from O'Reilly. If you need more detail it really depends on your area of interest. "Running Linux" is an old favourite, but I don't really know what some of the newer books from other publishers are like.