Problem compiling

[Chuck Holowecky]

When I try to compile a java program I get an error message:
'javac' is not recognized as an internal or external command

I take it that this is a path or pathname problem but I'm not sure.
the folder for java off my root directory is j2sdk1.4.2_10. my path class is straight off you web page for the cattle drive (which I want to join)

C:\j2sdk1.4\LIB;.;C:\JAVA

the path is:
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer;;C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\System32\Wbem;C:\Program Files\Micromedex\MMDX\Bin;C:\j2sdk1.4\BIN;C:\j2sdk1.4\JRE\BIN

[Ernest Friedman-Hill]

In the text of the message you say that your JDK root is c:\j2sdk1.4.2_10, but the relevant PATH entries are written as if it were c:\j2sdk1.4 . You need your PATH setting to reflect the actual location of the JDK.

A warning: you imply that you've set your CLASSPATH, too. The very best setting for CLASSPATH, especially for someone just starting out in Java, is to have it not set at all. Trust me on this: erase the variable entirely, so it doesn't appear in the control panel at all. You will thank me later!

[marc weber]

Hi Chuck, welcome to JavaRanch!

Here are Sun's installation instructions for Java 1.4.2 on 32-bit Windows. In particular, step 5 is for updating the PATH variable.

PS: I assume you're using the Hello World example from the Cattle Drive home page. That's great! But if you need more detail and/or trouble shooting tips, here's Sun's Hello World example (for Windows).
[ February 11, 2006: Message edited by: marc weber ]