java path settings

[Hema Sujith]

Hi folks,
I am new to java.I am really confused with path settings.I am getting an error as ..."javac is not recognized as an external or internal command, operable program or batch file".
I am having windowsXP and I downloaded
J2SE v 1.4.1_03.I gave path as " c:\program files\java\j2re1.4.1_03\bin".And also created my simple java program in bin directory.But I am getting the above error.Actually I installed java in c:\java folder.When I check I found all bin,lib folders are in 'program files'.So I gave the path like that.I don't know all these...I really confused about this.I would appreciate it,if you guys help me in this regard.

[Michael Morris]

Hi Chinni,
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You need to set the PATH variable in XP. Take a look at this
thread and see if that helps.

[bharat nagpal]

first open commnd window
write path=%path%;c:\java\bin
now try to execute javac....it will run.
This path will be set for the current dos window.
For permanently setting the path
go to
Start - Control Panel - System - Advanced Tab - Environment Variables
and add c:\java\bin; in in the start of PATH variable value.