JDK installation problem

[Jeff Fisher]

I have installed the JDK on my home computer twice (once after I had to reformat the hard drive) without having any problems whatsoever.
I recently got a new Windows 2000 PC at work (I am a mainframe programmer) and was given permission to download and install the JDK. This time I am having problems - I can't get the javac compiler!
First I downloaded J2SE1.4.0 ver 01. When I tried to use javac, I got "'javac' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program of batch file." I got this message even in the bin directory, so the PATH variable isn't the issue.
Frustrated, I deleted the 1.4 version and downloaded the earlier 1.3.1 version and did another install - same problem. Looking in the bin directory I see most of the things you would expect, such as "java," "javaw," "keytool," etc. But there is no "javac" or "javadoc."
I followed the Installation Notes and did not get any error messages. Does anyone know what's wrong?
Thanks, Jeff

[Dirk Schreckmann]

Jeff,
Welcome to JavaRanch!
I have never heard of such a problem. I'll assume that since you're a mainframe programmer, you're not confused about path settings or directory locations.
I've installed various Java SDK versions on a number of different computers and have never had a file just turn up missing.
If I were you, I'd probably uninstall any Java SDK that is currently present, then download and install the Java SDK 1.4 one more time.
I wonder how many files might be missing. How many files are in the directory and subdirectories of your Java SDK installation directory? Mine has 1429 files in 187 folders (~64.2MB).

[James Swan]

Did you download the JRE or the SDK?
Sounds like you might have downloaded the JRE (Runtime Environment only) which doesn't contain the javac commands etc, but will contain commands for running java applications (java, javaw etc).
[ June 14, 2002: Message edited by: james swan ]

[Mohan Panigrahi]

Yes, I also got confused once when I installed jre instead of jdk. This is the reason for your problem.

[Dirk Schreckmann]

That makes sense to me, too. Nice thinkin' james and Mohan!

[Jeff Fisher]

Indeed, I was downloading from the JRE column on Friday. The other column works much better!
Now I can study Java after hours here at work, instead of at home, where I have a three-year-old who wants to play computer games whenever I go to the computer!
Thanks very much for your help, guys!