Installing JDK in Windows 7

Hey all at Java Ranch,

I apologize in advance for my noobish question but here it goes

I am quite new to java and I have been reading my intro book and I ran into a hitch I installed the latest version of the JDK and when through the setup wizard and the process went without a hitch. Now I wish to compile and run my first java program I oped up cmd and told it to go to C:\Program Files (x86)\java\jdk1.6.0_18\bin\javac to my first program and It cannot find the javac program and no matter how many different methods I use to tell it to start the javac my computer cannot find the program any ideas?

Sam,
Welcome to JavaRanch!

Do you see a file named "javac" in C:\Program Files (x86)\java\jdk1.6.0_18\bin? If so, can you post the command you are running? Or a few of them since you tried different things.

Yeah I see the file there

What I have been doing is C:\Program Files (x86)\java\jdk1.6.0_18\bin\javac Program Files (x86)\java\jdk1.6.0_18\bin\javac and "C:\Program Files (x86)\java\jdk1.6.0_18\bin\javac" the last one actually worked but then I ran into trouble with it finding the .java program I wanted it to compile is there a method where I can make it where I can just issue the javac command then the directory of the .java file I saw that it could be done but I was unable to get it to work correctly and I was wondering if it was a problem with the installation or the fact that im using a 64 bit version of windows?

Are you sure you installed the JDK and not the JRE? Because you need the JDK.

Edit: to late

Set your path.

Why did you install the 32 bit JDK with a 64 bit OS? You might consider uninstalling and reinstalling.

And, yes, I agree with David. You need to set your path. Right click my computer, select properties, select advanced system settings, and click the button that says "environment variables". Add a semicolon and the full directory name to the bin folder inside your JDK install to the PATH textbox.

Ok I reinstalled JDK (I feel quite dumb for not looking for the 64 bit installer) and I went to set the path and I entered ;C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_18\bin and still when I type javac into cmd windows still cannot find the command

Did you add it to both the system and user variables? You only need it in the system, but I've seen people put it in both.

Did you reboot?

Yea I added it in both and restarted and still nothing

Alright.... when you try to compile, your command prompt is in the directory of the java file?

That is to say your command looks like this:

What, exactly is in the "system variables / PATH" textbox? If windows is "not recognized command or filename" you might have a typo... copy and paste that entire textbox here

Can you post here the exact error that you are getting when you try to compile a class?

Its just the 'javac' is not recognized as an internal or external command

in the system variable path I have

you have no other paths? Most people have paths to the root and the windows folder... get rid of the semicolon.

My goodness we have success!!@!!1!!!
Thanks all who helped in this simple process gone wrong!
Now if I get anywhere in java programing everyone who helped will be able to say they had a part in the magic

You'll be back

sam johnston wrote:My goodness we have success!!@!!1!!!

Good to see that. And have a good time learning Java!

So true you are! Im trying to compile my second app and I get a error saying an exception in the tread "main and a long list of where the eroor is and then it says it cannot find the class

sam johnston wrote:So true you are! Im trying to compile my second app and I get a error saying an exception in the tread "main and a long list of where the eroor is and then it says it cannot find the class

Looks like you get to start a new thread!