CLASSPATH environment variable

**SPACE MONKEY** · February 10th, 2011, 02:11 AM

Greetings.

ME JAVA YOU JANE.
I have completed a course in Java and have a smigen of knowledge about the programming language Java. Happy with that, but we where using a text editor for Java and I find my self lost not by the code, but by the files and actually getting to use java in the real world.

MY ATTEMPTED SEARCH FOR KNOWLEDGE
To that end I bought (took out from the library, but now will buy my self a copy), of Horton the Elephant Java 2 5th edition. This book tells me it will take me to the point I can actually get a website up, simple, but up. Yes sir I put on my helmet and I am ready to go.

THE QUESTION
I am unhappy and/or blind, because I do not understand where or how I would identify a Classpath environment variable, one of the first topics. I don't think I would have a problem figuring this out if I knew what screen to be in to type commands. Do I need to open "run" command from the start menu (windows), then type something in?
If so what do i type in?

I am lost at the very beginning, that and the organization of the files holding the classes I call in a program, but that is another story.

So thanks from all the space monkeys around, and smoke me a kipper I will be back for breakfast!

**helloworld922** · February 10th, 2011, 02:26 AM

classpath tells Java where to look for java class files.

For example, say I had the following folder structure:

C:\
- Java
  - Project1
    - bin
      - package1
        
        class1.class
        class2.class
      - package2
        
        class3.class
        class4.class

All the class files are located under C:\Java\Project1\bin, so I would use that as the classpath. Depending on where you put your files (as well as your package structure), you'll have a different classpath.

for more information on the classpath, see: Setting the class path

**SPACE MONKEY** · February 10th, 2011, 02:49 AM

Dear Venerated Enlightened One:

Thanks for the info. I guess my problem is that, when you say "All the class files are located under C:\Java\Project1\bin, so I would use that as the classpath."

My question is "Where do I put, enter, or otherwise entertain the classpath?"

Do I put the classpath it in the code?

Do I open "run", type something in, then from that black screen with the funny type setting, enter the class path information there.

I am not so worried about the "C:\Java\Project1\bin", so much as I am lost as to the venue to enter this information. I do not know WHERE to enter the classpath.

The hole file thing is a mystery to me.

If I create a class "BanaNana" I know I have to save it as a file BanaNana.java.
But do I then have to save it in a FOLDER called "BanaNana"?

Then, how do I get the java compiler to take an interest in it?

I am going to read the rest of the first chapter to see if I can expose my mind to thought, and maybe answer my own questions.

Ooo Ooo Ooooo (Thanks and good night)
Again thanks for your help.

**helloworld922** · February 10th, 2011, 03:23 AM

Did you read the link I posted? It gives details on how to set the classpath and where to set it to.

**SPACE MONKEY** · February 15th, 2011, 11:33 AM

Dear HellowWorld22:

Thanks for the response, but you missed the beginning of my problem, I was not sure how to use the "run" command and not sure how to use "cmd" to get into it, so this link:
"Hello World!" for Microsoft Windows (The Java™ Tutorials > Getting Started > The "Hello World!" Application)

Gave me the very beginnings I needed. Now I know where I have to change the classpath. to get javac to work. You did help me by helping narrow my search to the tutorials.

So that was the first part of the journey over. Now I have the problem of actually changing the classpath and I am no closer and here is why.

I have not been saving my files under java, I was saving them under documents. I am completely unschooled on this folder stuff. I don't know what I don't know. (Where's Rumsfelt?)
Had to put “Program Files” in “Quotations” in the Run.. Screen when I was trying to access that file, and took ages to work that out.

Then I changed the current working directory to the folder with the file.

Then I followed the path to the javac command thing (yep thing) (Thanks you gave me the link that solved that problem. and then it came back "Access is Denied" What?

Please god tell me that you can point me in the direction of getting access to this, whatever it is.

Every step I take is a step back it seems.

Thanks.

TheWhiteBear

**SPACE MONKEY** · February 15th, 2011, 11:54 AM

Update:

Move the file out of the Java folder and all is good, finally managed to create the .class file. Thanks for all your help.

TheWhiteBear aka SPACE MONKEY aka Kevin

**JavaPF** · February 15th, 2011, 04:10 PM

Glad you got it figured out

Thread: CLASSPATH environment variable

LinkBack

Thread Tools

Display

CLASSPATH environment variable

Related threads:

Re: CLASSPATH environment variable

Re: CLASSPATH environment variable

Re: CLASSPATH environment variable

Re: CLASSPATH environment variable

Re: CLASSPATH environment variable

Re: CLASSPATH environment variable

Similar Threads

Issues with Static environment

Environment issue with Bonjour API

Graphic Environment Abstract Methods

Problems in setting classpath

Problem with developing and running JAXP, JAXB and SOAPMessageFactory issues?

Tags for this Thread