Download and install the latest version of the Java Platform, Standard Edition Development Kit (Java SE 6 Update 27). Note the installation directory for later—probably something like C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_27\bin.
To make sure that Windows can find the Java compiler and interpreter,
- Select Start -> Computer -> System Properties -> Advanced system settings -> Environment Variables -> System variables -> PATH.
[ In Vista, select Start -> My Computer -> Properties -> Advanced -> Environment Variables -> System variables -> PATH. ]
[ In Windows XP, Select Start -> Control Panel -> System -> Advanced -> Environment Variables -> System variables -> PATH. ]
- Prepend C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_27\bin; to the beginning of the PATH variable
Compile Your Program
You will use the command to convert your Java program into a form more amenable for execution on a computer.
- From the command prompt, navigate to the directory containing your .java files, say C:\introcs\hello, by typing the cd command, given below:
C:\Users\username>cd c:\introcs\hello
C:\introcs\hello\>
- Assuming the file, say HelloWorld.java, is in the current working directory, type the command in boldface below it to compile it.
C:\introcs\hello\>javac HelloWorld.java
C:\introcs\hello\>
If everything went well, you should see no error messages.
- No error messages.
Execute the Program
You will use the Java command to execute your program.
- From the Command Prompt, type the Java command, given below:
C:\introcs\hello\>java HelloWorld
Hello, World
If all goes well, you should see the output of the program, as given below:
Hello, World.