How to set classpath for java in Linux

[Neeba Rebbaca]

Can anyone say me how to set classpath for java in Linux.
Like in windows, we will go to my computer --> properties(right click) ---> adavnced tab --> Environment variable and setting the classpath.

In Linux how we will be setting?

[Maneesh Godbole]

http://faq.javaranch.com/java/HowToSetTheClasspath
Scroll down for the Linux version

[Neeba Rebbaca]

Before that how can i set path for java?

[Maneesh Godbole]

A simple google would have given you something like http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/linux-unix-set-java_home-path-variable/

[Jesper de Jong]

Which Linux distribution are you using? Different Linux distro's have different preferred ways for installing Java. Google for "<your distro name> Java".

On Ubuntu, the best way to install Sun JDK 6, which will automatically set up your path correctly, is entering the command:
sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jdk

[Samir Kureshi]

try like this....
export CLASSPATH=/local/home/soft/bea81sp6/jdk142_11


hope would help

Thanks,
Samir

[Campbell Ritchie]

Samir Kureshi wrote:try like this....
export CLASSPATH=/local/home/soft/bea81sp6/jdk142_11

No, that won't help at all. That sets a CLASSPATH to a value which is unnecessary and will lose you access to your local files. It is also specific you your computer, and appears to have some errors, eg missing out .s.

You should never set a permanent CLASSPATH if you can possibly help it. You should use the -cp flags on the "java" and "javac" tools, or put it in the manifest file. For the java and javac tools, look here, then look at the links on the right.

[Pouya Arvandian]

If you're using Ubuntu:

open terminal: gedit .bashrc

then append the following to the bottom of the file:

export JAVA_HOME=/<path to jdk>
export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH

this worked perfectly for me after I downloaded and compiled jdk binaries from sun website. Hope it helps you too.

[Campbell Ritchie]

Welcome to JavaRanch

There is a better way to install Java on a Debian-based Linux installation, which includes Ubuntu: Jesper Young told us here to use sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jdk which sets the PATH automatically. There is a similar instruction to update it.
An rpm-based Linux installation (eg Suse, Fedora) can use a similar instruction with the rpm tool.

The instructions to use export PATH in the .bashrc file should work for any "bash" terminal; Ubuntu and OpenSUSE and Fedora usually use "bash". You can probably find out which terminal you are using by giving a nonsense instruction to the terminal

campbell@linux-747u:~> which bash
/bin/bash
campbell@linux-747u:~> oeirhglkcjxnvgiud
bash: oeirhglkcjxnvgiud: command not found
campbell@linux-747u:~>

And the name of the shell program appears as part of the error message