What environment variables do I need to set up before I start running Java programs on my machine?


Before running Java programs on your machine you need to set two environment variables namely,

  • PATH − The path environment variable is used to specify the set of directories which contains execution programs.
  • When you try to execute a program from command line, the operating system searches for the specified program in the current directly, if available, executes it.
  • In case the programs are not available in the current directory, operating system verifies in the set of directories specified in the ‘PATH’ environment variable.
  • CLASSPATH − The classpath environment variable is used to specify the location of the classes and packages.
  • When we try to import classes and packages other than those that are available with Java Standard Library.
  • JVM verifies the current direction for them, if not available it verifies the set of directories specified in the ‘CLASSPATH’ environment variable

Updated on: 18-Feb-2020

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