Setting PATH for Java6

[Nicole Miller]

Hi. I'm a starting compsci student trying to write programs on my home computer. I installed the java 6 jdk, but whenever I try to use the Command Prompt, it cannot recognize the prompt 'javac'. I think my PATH variable is set wrong, but even though I know where to go to fix it, I have no idea what to put where. Does anybody know? I've been trying to sort this out for sveral hours and am woried that I may be messing up my variables.

[John Jai]

Hi, Please read the above posts and set your JAVA_HOME and path variables and open a new cmd prompt and try again.

Please change your display name .... and welcome to the ranch

[Campbell Ritchie]

You can set the PATH, remembering to start with the root (on Windows® usually C:....) and end with bin in the PATH component. Don't set a CLASSPATH. You can simplify updating your PATH with a JAVA_HOME variable, but it's not absolutely essential. You will find about setting the PATH in our FAQ and it is worth having a look at the common problems tutorial. If you have the installation instructions page to hand, look at §4.

And I have moved your discussion because it appears to be a new question.