Setting classpath to compile .java files

I can't seem to be able to compile any .java files yet because they're somehow not being found. Javac is being recognized as a command, just to get that out of the way. I am, to the best of my knowledge, setting the classpath correctly (not confusing PATH with classpath) and putting my .java files in my intended directories. Do the files need to be put in a predetermined location or something?

Seems like you're saying that you did everything right? From your description, I can only think to ask whether your classes are in packages. That can cause confusion at times.

If that's not the case, it might help for you to give a more detailed account to give us a better chance of seeing what the problem is.