Installation & Path Setting
Updating the PATH Environment Variable (Optional)
You can run the JDK without setting the PATH environment variable, or you can optionally set it so that
you can conveniently run the JDK executable files (javac.exe, java.exe, javadoc.exe, and so forth) from any directory without
having to type the full path of the command. If you do not set the PATH variable, you need to specify the full path to the
executable file every time you run it, such as:
C:\> "C:\Program
Files\Java\jdk1.7.0\bin\javac" MyClass.java
It is useful to set the PATH variable permanently so it will persist after rebooting.
To set the PATH variable permanently, add the full path of the jdk1.7.0\bin directory to the PATH variable. Typically, this full path looks something
like C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.7.0\bin. Set
the PATH variable as follows
on Microsoft Windows:
1.
Click Start,
then Control Panel, then System.
2.
Click Advanced,
then Environment Variables.
3.
Add the location of
the bin folder of the JDK
installation for the PATH variable
in System Variables. The following is a typical value for the PATH variable:
C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\Program
Files\Java\jdk1.7.0\bin
Note:
·
The PATH environment
variable is a series of directories separated by semicolons (;) and is not case-sensitive. Microsoft Windows looks for programs
in the PATH directories in
order, from left to right.
·
You should only have
one bin directory for a JDK in the path at a time. Those
following the first instance are ignored.
·
If you are not sure where
to add the path, add it to the right of the value of the PATH variable.
·
The new path takes effect
in each new command window you open after setting the PATH variable.
