How to Set Up a Java Programming Environment

Java is a popular and long-standing programming language, used by large and small, new and old companies alike. Setting up your computer to run Java for the first time can be a mild hassle. This wikiHow will detail how to configure the Java Development Kit (JDK) on your computer to prepare you for running Java. Setting up an integrated development environment (IDE) like Eclipse or IntelliJ is not included within the scope of this article.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

On Windows 8/10

  1. Image titled Set Up a Java Programming Environment Step 1
    1
    Install the JDK from the Oracle website.
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    Identify the installation location of the JDK.
    • It is usually a sub-folder within this path: C:\Program Files\Java
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    3
    Edit the System Environment Variables.
    • On the window that appears, click the "Environment Variables..." button.
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    4
    Create a new variable named JAVA_HOME, and set the installation location of the JDK as the value.
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    Edit the PATH variable.
    • Add a semicolon at the end.
    • Add the JDK installation location with "\bin" after the semicolon.
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    6
    Make sure to click "Okay" on all of the Environment Variables to save the new settings.
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    7
    Open up Command Prompt.
    • Hold ⊞ Win+R to open the "Run..." dialog.
    • Enter cmd and hit ↵ Enter.
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    8
    Verify the Java compiler is recognized.
    • Type javac -version and hit ↵ Enter.
    • If you see the version of Java printed out, it worked! If you see that it's "not recognized", go back and check the previous steps for any errors.
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    9
    Run a Java program.
    • Copy the Hello World program from Oracle's website and save it to a file: https://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/getStarted/cupojava/win32.html
    • In Command Prompt, navigate to where to saved the file.
    • Run javac HelloWorld.java(assuming your file is named HelloWorld.java) to compile your Java source file into a class file.
      • If you see an error, you likely have a bug in your program or haven't navigated to where your file is located.
    • Run java HelloWorld to run your compiled Java program.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

On a Mac

  1. Image titled Set Up a Java Programming Environment Step 10
    1
    Install the JDK from the Oracle website.
  2. Image titled Set Up a Java Programming Environment Step 11
    2
    Open the Terminal.
  3. Image titled Set Up a Java Programming Environment Step 12
    3
    Verify the Java compiler is recognized.
    • Type javac -version and hit ↵ Enter.
    • If you see the version of Java printed out, it worked! If you see that it's "not recognized", go back and check the previous steps for any errors.
  4. Image titled Set Up a Java Programming Environment Step 13
    4
    Run a Java program.
    • Copy the Hello World program from Oracle's website and save it to a file: https://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/getStarted/cupojava/win32.html
    • Navigate to where you saved the program.
      • If you're not familiar with how to navigate in Terminal, there are many tutorials to help.[2] [3] [4]
    • Run javac HelloWorld.java (assuming your file is named HelloWorld.java) to compile your Java source file into a class file.
      • If you see an error, you likely have a bug in your program or haven't navigated to where your file is located.
    • Run java HelloWorld to run your compiled Java program.
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Warnings

  • If you're not familiar with system environment variables, do not delete anything in the related dialogs. If you delete the wrong variable, you can render your system unusable.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.digitalcitizen.life/command-prompt-how-use-basic-commands
  2. ↑ https://www.macworld.com/article/2042378/master-the-command-line-navigating-files-and-folders.html
  3. ↑ https://computers.tutsplus.com/tutorials/navigating-the-terminal-a-gentle-introduction--mac-3855
  4. ↑ https://macpaw.com/how-to/use-terminal-on-mac
  5. https://www.java.com/en/download/help/path.xml

About This Article

Tested by:
wikiHow Technology Team
wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 29,311 times.
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Co-authors: 4
Updated: August 19, 2020
Views: 29,311
Categories: Java
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