How can I set the PATH variable for javac so I can manually compile my .java works?

Question

Here's the address on my drive:

C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_18\bin

How would I go about setting the path variable so I can go in command window (windowskey+r "cmd") and be able to type things like:

javac TestApp.java

I'm using Windows 7 Professional.

x4u · Answer 1 · 2014-02-24T17:36:19.053

27

That would be:

set "PATH=%PATH%;C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_18\bin"

You can also append ;C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_18\bin to the PATH in the user environment dialog. That would allow you to use javac and other java tools directly form any cmd shell without setting the path first. The user environment dialog used to be somewhere in the system properties in XP, I have no idea where it is in Windows 7.

edited Feb 24 '14 at 17:36

answered Jan 17 '10 at 01:29

x4u

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you just copy paste it into your cmd window an press enter. – x4u Jan 17 '10 at 01:34
*Be sure to Update The Version* to reflect your installed version. – Justin Geeslin Jul 01 '20 at 12:24

Carl Smotricz · Accepted Answer · 2017-12-19T15:25:39.923

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Typing the SET PATH command into the command shell every time you fire it up could get old for you pretty fast. Three alternatives:

Run javac from a batch (.CMD) file. Then you can just put the SET PATH into that file before your javac execution. Or you could do without the SET PATH if you simply code the explicit path to javac.exe
Set your enhanced, improved PATH in the "environment variables" configuration of your system.
In the long run you'll want to automate your Java compiling with Ant. But that will require yet another extension to PATH first, which brings us back to (1) and (2).

edited Dec 19 '17 at 15:25

answered Jan 17 '10 at 01:42

Carl Smotricz

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+1 for all the options. With the frequent java updates, a lot of manual configuration is needed. Do any auto updates take into consideration the PATH changes? – Fuhrmanator Jun 23 '13 at 15:54
@Fuhrmanator: Thanks! Simple but honest answer: I don't know, sorry! This might be a good new, separate question to ask the community. – Carl Smotricz Jun 27 '13 at 05:31
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Your second link is broken. Check your links. – www139 Oct 11 '15 at 01:15
Both links are dead – Vadzim Nov 22 '17 at 13:18
@Vadzim: I've removed the non-functioning links. – Carl Smotricz Dec 19 '17 at 15:26

score 7 · Answer 3 · answered May 21 '14 at 11:13

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Step 1: Set the PATH variable JAVA_HOME to the path of the JDK present on the system. Step 2: in the Path variable add the path of the C:\Program Files\Java\jdk(version)\bin

This should solve the problem. Happy coding!!

answered May 21 '14 at 11:13

Capcha

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score 2 · Answer 4 · edited Sep 27 '12 at 07:59

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Type cmd in program start
Copy and Paste following on dos prompt

set PATH="%PATH%;C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_18\bin"

edited Sep 27 '12 at 07:59

Stephan

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answered Aug 17 '12 at 21:21

RAi

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score 2 · Answer 5 · answered Sep 09 '13 at 12:35

Follow the steps given here

http://www.javaandme.com/

after setting variable, just navigate to your java file directory in your cmd and type javac "xyx.java"

or if you don't navigate to the directory, then simply specify the full path of java file

javac "/xyz.java"

score 2 · Answer 6 · answered Apr 01 '14 at 21:04

First thing I wann ans to this imp question: "Why we require PATH To be set?"

Answer : You need to set PATH to compile Java source code, create JAVA CLASS FILES and allow Operating System to load classes at runtime.

Now you will understand why after setting "javac" you can manually compile by just saying "Class_name.java"

Modify the PATH of Windows Environmental Variable by appending the location till bin directory where all exe file(for eg. java,javac) are present.

Example : ;C:\Program Files\Java\jre7\bin.

score 2 · Answer 7 · answered Jan 07 '16 at 11:05

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only this will work:

path=%set path%;C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.7.0_04\bin

answered Jan 07 '16 at 11:05

Pushp Singh

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score 1 · Answer 8 · answered May 18 '13 at 19:57

You don't need to do any complex command-line stuff or edit any system code. You simply have to open Computer, showing all of your disks and open properties. From there, go to Advanced System Settings and click Environment Variables. Scroll down in the lower list box and edit Path. Do not erase anything already there. Put a ; after it and then type in your path. To test, open command prompt and do "javac", it should list around 20 programs. You would be finished at that point.

By the way, the command to compile is javac -g not just javac.

Happy coding!

score -1 · Answer 9 · answered Dec 29 '17 at 13:18

Trying this out on Windows 10, none of the command-line instructions worked.

Right clicking on "Computer" then open Properties etc. as the post by Galen Nare above already explains, leads you to a window where you need to click on "new" and then paste the path (as said: without deleting anything else). Afterwards you can check by typing java -version in the command-line window, which should display your current java version, if everything worked out right.

How can I set the PATH variable for javac so I can manually compile my .java works?

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