help me with the installation process

I just bought the HEAD FIRST JAVA Book and I already downloaded jdk 1.6 but i don't know what to do next... the book talks about PATH or compiling or whatever. When I open the commend box and type C:\javac, i get nothing but an error message. Please help me, its frustrating me!!!
P.S : Am new to programming, am trying to learn JAVA as my first language.

Hi Osi,

If you have a jdk1.6 exe, install it and set the path to its bin folder in the PATH environment variable.

I am assuming that you have Windows OS.

Welcome to JavaRanch.

To install the JDK, please carefully read and follow the installation instructions.

In the installation instructions I think it is section 4. Have a look at the Java™ Tutorials, particularly where it says "common problems".

Thank you so much guys!!! I got it. I think i just ran my first source code but i don't have a single clue what its application is... i just started, so i guess i should chill (it will come to me). I have just one question, does a string also refer to your statement e.g main (string [] args) ------> what is string, [] and args. Am sure if i understand what these things mean, i wont need to cram it.

Orsi, I registered especially after years out in the lurking wilderness to reply to your last post. If you're learning Java as your first language, knowing what the main(String[] args) part of your very first program means honestly isn't essential. It could even be off-putting. As it says here, that snippet of code is just something that all Java applications require to run. At this stage, just know that it has to be there or follow the link for a little more information.

Hope that helped some.

Pleased to be able to help

Beware: there are some Head First examples which are incomplete and won't run, eg Party.

And welcome to the Ranch, Angie Hawk

Once again i thank you guys especially Angie Hawk. Big up to you. I just hope i become a JAVA guru anytime soon.

It's not "string" but "String" and yes, it does mean the same as the String you are used to. I shall agree with Angie Hawk and keep quiet so as not to overload you with unneeded information.

I have downloaded and installed SE6 JDK

jdk-6u17-windows-i586.exe

I believe I have installed it correctly in the default location.

It is at:

c:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_17\bin

I have set my PATH variable to the above.

I have a "Hello" program at

c:\Jplan\hello.java

I have tried to execute the below

c:\Jplan> javac hello.java

I get the following response.

'javac' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file

Question 1: What do I need to do now?

Question 2: Is there a simple way to cut and paste to/from the command window?

Thank you

I am no longer having this problem for reasons unknown.

I can now find the compiler. I am having more problems, but let me see if I can resolve them myself.

Thanks for now.

I still would like to know how to cut/paste to/from command window.

Thanks

I have found out cut and paste

using right button menu MARK, and ENTER and right button menu paste.

If there are keyboard shortcuts, please post.

Thanks

Instead of hijacking someone else's thread you should have started one of your own.

But to answer your question:
to copy:
right click on the top frame heading -> edit -> mark
highlight area to copy with mouse
press the enter key

to paste:
click on the top frame heading
right click

Thank you.

I am new here and want to follow forum ettiquette.

However I also searched and this was a very close question to mine, minus my specifics.

I shall however not threadjack in the future.

Thank you for the response.

It might be that you have to close the command line and open it again before it recognises the new PATH.