[SOLVED] Java command prompt problem

Tecnoob · 09-06-2009, 06:50 PM

I am learning to program in Java using the JDK, the notepad, and the windows command prompt. Every time I try to use the javac command, it says:

'javac' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

I have been able to get it to compile by putting the whole path in manually like this:

"C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_16\bin\javac" Hello.java

The teacher anticipated that we would get this sort of problem so he posted this as a fix:

Quote:

If this works (Windows can now find javac), then Java is installed correctly. Now you can update your path so you don't have to type the whole path name every time. These are the steps to do this in WindowsXP (some translation may be required for Vista):

1. Go to Start -> Control Panel -> System. (It's easiest to find System when you change Control Panel to Classic View.)
2. Go to the Advanced tab
3. Click the Environment Variables button
4. Scroll down through the System variables until you find Path.
5. Edit this variable, adding the path up to but not include javac (so probably C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_16\bin\) to the end of the list. Make sure there is a ; (semi-colon) between this path and the one before it.
6. Click OK for all of that, saving it all.
7. Now open a new command prompt and see if just javac -version or javac Hello.java works, without the whole path.

I have tried doing this but it still won't work. It gives the same error. I think I did it correctly in the first image. And the other image has the folder containing javac.exe, and the path at the top.

**ahmorrow** · 09-07-2009, 11:44 PM

Have you tried it with the extension? i.e. 'javac.exe' instead of just 'javac'?

**TheOutcaste** · 09-07-2009, 11:48 PM

It looks to me like you have a space between the ; and the C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_16\bin\.
If there is a space there it won't work

**ahmorrow** · 09-07-2009, 11:51 PM

So it's "\;C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_16\bin\javac" right? I've never used notepad to compile java. Now that I'm running a linux box it will likely never happen :-P

**TheOutcaste** · 09-08-2009, 01:14 AM

Yes, no space after the ;

Tecnoob · 09-08-2009, 02:28 AM

Thanks, it works now.

**TheOutcaste** · 09-08-2009, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahmorrow

So it's "\;C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_16\bin\javac" right? I've never used notepad to compile java. Now that I'm running a linux box it will likely never happen :-P

Opps, missed the tail end of this, it just \;C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_16\bin
The trailing slash is optional, it can be omitted or left in, but you can't include the file name javac. The path statement is always just folders. And there is more to the left of the first \, it's just not visible in the screen shot. At a minimum you would have this for the Path variable in Windows:

C:\Windows\system32;C:\Windows;C:\Windows\System32\Wbem;C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_16\bin

Glad it's working for you now Tecnoob!

If your issue has been resolved you can mark this thread Solved by using the Thread Tools at the Top Right of this thread (above the first post)

Jerry

**ahmorrow** · 09-08-2009, 01:43 PM

Sweet... I'll keep this in mind if I EVER switch back to a PC. Not likely, but good to know.

09-07-2009, 11:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
ahmorrow God (TSF Enthusiast) Join Date: May 2009 Location: Jeffersonville, IN Posts: 905 OS: Ubuntu 9.10 [Karmic Koala] My System	Re: Java command prompt problem Have you tried it with the extension? i.e. 'javac.exe' instead of just 'javac'?

09-07-2009, 11:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
TheOutcaste TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 834 OS: MS-Dos 6.22 - Win7	Re: Java command prompt problem It looks to me like you have a space between the ; and the C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_16\bin\. If there is a space there it won't work __________________ Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience Of course I know all the answers; I just don't always match the answers to the right questions. Rated R for Violence -- When your PC flies through a window, that's violent, right?

09-07-2009, 11:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
ahmorrow God (TSF Enthusiast) Join Date: May 2009 Location: Jeffersonville, IN Posts: 905 OS: Ubuntu 9.10 [Karmic Koala] My System	Re: Java command prompt problem So it's "\;C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_16\bin\javac" right? I've never used notepad to compile java. Now that I'm running a linux box it will likely never happen :-P

09-08-2009, 01:14 AM	#5 (permalink)
TheOutcaste TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 834 OS: MS-Dos 6.22 - Win7	Re: Java command prompt problem Yes, no space after the ; __________________ Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience Of course I know all the answers; I just don't always match the answers to the right questions. Rated R for Violence -- When your PC flies through a window, that's violent, right?

09-08-2009, 02:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
Tecnoob Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 47 OS: xp sp2	Re: Java command prompt problem Thanks, it works now.

09-08-2009, 01:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
ahmorrow God (TSF Enthusiast) Join Date: May 2009 Location: Jeffersonville, IN Posts: 905 OS: Ubuntu 9.10 [Karmic Koala] My System	Re: [SOLVED] Java command prompt problem Sweet... I'll keep this in mind if I EVER switch back to a PC. Not likely, but good to know.