trying to get started with head first java

Hello,
I'm new to programming and my programming class is using Dr. Java. I really need something more and purchased the Head First java book 2nd Edition. I believed that I have followed the instructions on page XXVIII about how to download SDK and the API files. I also set my path. I know how to go to the command line, how can I get started to see if my compiler will run Java commands?

Thank you!
Carole

type javac in the cmd prompt. This is used for compiling java files. If it is set up correctly you should get a message about how to use javac.

Hi!
I type javac into my command prompt, but I am receiving a message that says:

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

I think that means I need to set my path. I used some online instructions to do that, but I think I may have something wrong here. Here is what I have under Environmental Variables:

C:\Program Files\Java\jdk 1.6.0_11\bin C:\Program Files\Java\jdk 1.6.0_11\bin
PATH C:\Sun\SDK\bin
SYBASE c:\sql11
TEMP C:\Documents and Settings\Hagen.Carole\Local Settings\Temp
TMP C:\Documents and Settings\Hagen.Carole\Local Settings\Temp

Here is what I have under System variables
C:\Program Files\Java\jdk 1.6.0_11\bin C:\Program Files\Java\jdk 1.6.0_11\bin
CLASSPATH C:\Program Files\Java\j2re 1.4.2_06\lib\ext\QTJava.zip
ComSpec ..............

there is more and I've attached a picture of my Environmental Variables window. If anyone knows what I'm doing wrong, please let me know. When I try HelloWorld from my command line, I can get it if I don't include 'javac' - so I'm convinced it has to do with my path. THANKS!!

after you set the path, you have to open a new command window. If you have one already open, it won't pick up the changes.

type only the word "path" on the command line, and that will show you what THAT session thinks the path is.

something else to try is to navigate to the directory where you think java is, and see if you can run the javac command from there...

i.e. here's my path:

I:\>path
PATH=C:\Perl\site\bin;C:\Perl\bin;C:\PROGRA~1\REFLEC~1;C:\oracle\ora92\bin;C:\Program Files\Oracle\jre\1.1.8\bin;C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\Utilities;C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\System32\Wbem;C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel;C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files;C:\Program Files\Altiris\Software Virtualization Agent\;C:\oracle\ora81\bin;C:\Program Files\Oracle\jre\1.1.7\bin;C:\Program Files\iPath\Bin;C:\MySQL\bin;C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_11\bin;C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTSystem\

so, I went to my jdk directory:

c:
cd "Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_11\bin"

and then I ran javac. if you can run it from there, then you know it's installed, and you have a path problem. if it DOESN'T run from there, it's either a) not installed, or b) it's installed somewhere else.

Sun's Hello World! tutorial explains step by step how to write, compile and run your first Java program.

You seem to be getting lots of help, Carole, so I shall just say . . .




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