Java exe environment variable

Environment Variables

Many operating systems use environment variables to pass configuration information to applications. Like properties in the Java platform, environment variables are key/value pairs, where both the key and the value are strings. The conventions for setting and using environment variables vary between operating systems, and also between command line interpreters. To learn how to pass environment variables to applications on your system, refer to your system documentation.

Querying Environment Variables

On the Java platform, an application uses System.getenv to retrieve environment variable values. Without an argument, getenv returns a read-only instance of java.util.Map , where the map keys are the environment variable names, and the map values are the environment variable values. This is demonstrated in the EnvMap example:

import java.util.Map; public class EnvMap < public static void main (String[] args) < Mapenv = System.getenv(); for (String envName : env.keySet()) < System.out.format("%s=%s%n", envName, env.get(envName)); >> >

With a String argument, getenv returns the value of the specified variable. If the variable is not defined, getenv returns null . The Env example uses getenv this way to query specific environment variables, specified on the command line:

Passing Environment Variables to New Processes

When a Java application uses a ProcessBuilder object to create a new process, the default set of environment variables passed to the new process is the same set provided to the application’s virtual machine process. The application can change this set using ProcessBuilder.environment .

Platform Dependency Issues

There are many subtle differences between the way environment variables are implemented on different systems. For example, Windows ignores case in environment variable names, while UNIX does not. The way environment variables are used also varies. For example, Windows provides the user name in an environment variable called USERNAME , while UNIX implementations might provide the user name in USER , LOGNAME , or both.

To maximize portability, never refer to an environment variable when the same value is available in a system property. For example, if the operating system provides a user name, it will always be available in the system property user.name .

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PATH and CLASSPATH

This section explains how to use the PATH and CLASSPATH environment variables on Microsoft Windows, Solaris, and Linux. Consult the installation instructions included with your installation of the Java Development Kit (JDK) software bundle for current information.

After installing the software, the JDK directory will have the structure shown below.

The bin directory contains both the compiler and the launcher.

Update the PATH Environment Variable (Microsoft Windows)

You can run Java applications just fine without setting the PATH environment variable. Or, you can optionally set it as a convenience.

Set the PATH environment variable if you want to be able to conveniently run the executables ( javac.exe , java.exe , javadoc.exe , and so on) from any directory without having to type the full path of the command. If you do not set the PATH variable, you need to specify the full path to the executable every time you run it, such as:

C:\Java\jdk1.7.0\bin\javac MyClass.java

The PATH environment variable is a series of directories separated by semicolons ( ; ). Microsoft Windows looks for programs in the PATH directories in order, from left to right. You should have only one bin directory for the JDK in the path at a time (those following the first are ignored), so if one is already present, you can update that particular entry.

The following is an example of a PATH environment variable:

C:\Java\jdk1.7.0\bin;C:\Windows\System32\;C:\Windows\;C:\Windows\System32\Wbem

It is useful to set the PATH environment variable permanently so it will persist after rebooting. To make a permanent change to the PATH variable, use the System icon in the Control Panel. The precise procedure varies depending on the version of Windows:

1. Select Start, select Control Panel. double click System, and select the Advanced tab.
2. Click Environment Variables. In the section System Variables, find the PATH environment variable and select it. Click Edit. If the PATH environment variable does not exist, click New .
3. In the Edit System Variable (or New System Variable) window, specify the value of the PATH environment variable. Click OK. Close all remaining windows by clicking OK.

1. From the desktop, right click the My Computer icon.
2. Choose Properties from the context menu.
3. Click the Advanced tab (Advanced system settings link in Vista).
4. Click Environment Variables. In the section System Variables, find the PATH environment variable and select it. Click Edit. If the PATH environment variable does not exist, click New .
5. In the Edit System Variable (or New System Variable) window, specify the value of the PATH environment variable. Click OK. Close all remaining windows by clicking OK.

1. From the desktop, right click the Computer icon.
2. Choose Properties from the context menu.
3. Click the Advanced system settings link.
4. Click Environment Variables. In the section System Variables, find the PATH environment variable and select it. Click Edit. If the PATH environment variable does not exist, click New .
5. In the Edit System Variable (or New System Variable) window, specify the value of the PATH environment variable. Click OK. Close all remaining windows by clicking OK.

Note: You may see a PATH environment variable similar to the following when editing it from the Control Panel:

%JAVA_HOME%\bin;%SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\System32\Wbem

Variables enclosed in percentage signs ( % ) are existing environment variables. If one of these variables is listed in the Environment Variables window from the Control Panel (such as JAVA_HOME ), then you can edit its value. If it does not appear, then it is a special environment variable that the operating system has defined. For example, SystemRoot is the location of the Microsoft Windows system folder. To obtain the value of a environment variable, enter the following at a command prompt. (This example obtains the value of the SystemRoot environment variable):

Update the PATH Variable (Solaris and Linux)

You can run the JDK just fine without setting the PATH variable, or you can optionally set it as a convenience. However, you should set the path variable if you want to be able to run the executables ( javac , java , javadoc , and so on) from any directory without having to type the full path of the command. If you do not set the PATH variable, you need to specify the full path to the executable every time you run it, such as:

% /usr/local/jdk1.7.0/bin/javac MyClass.java

To find out if the path is properly set, execute:

This will print the version of the java tool, if it can find it. If the version is old or you get the error java: Command not found, then the path is not properly set.

To set the path permanently, set the path in your startup file.

For C shell ( csh ), edit the startup file (~/.cshrc ):

set path=(/usr/local/jdk1.7.0/bin $path)

For bash , edit the startup file ( ~/.bashrc ):

PATH=/usr/local/jdk1.7.0/bin:$PATH export PATH

For ksh , the startup file is named by the environment variable, ENV . To set the path:

PATH=/usr/local/jdk1.7.0/bin:$PATH export PATH

For sh , edit the profile file ( ~/.profile ):

PATH=/usr/local/jdk1.7.0/bin:$PATH export PATH

Then load the startup file and verify that the path is set by repeating the java command:

% source ~/.cshrc % java -version

Checking the CLASSPATH variable (All platforms)

The CLASSPATH variable is one way to tell applications, including the JDK tools, where to look for user classes. (Classes that are part of the JRE, JDK platform, and extensions should be defined through other means, such as the bootstrap class path or the extensions directory.)

The preferred way to specify the class path is by using the -cp command line switch. This allows the CLASSPATH to be set individually for each application without affecting other applications. Setting the CLASSPATH can be tricky and should be performed with care.

The default value of the class path is «.», meaning that only the current directory is searched. Specifying either the CLASSPATH variable or the -cp command line switch overrides this value.

To check whether CLASSPATH is set on Microsoft Windows NT/2000/XP, execute the following:

On Solaris or Linux, execute the following:

If CLASSPATH is not set you will get a CLASSPATH: Undefined variable error (Solaris or Linux) or simply %CLASSPATH% (Microsoft Windows NT/2000/XP).

To modify the CLASSPATH , use the same procedure you used for the PATH variable.

Class path wildcards allow you to include an entire directory of .jar files in the class path without explicitly naming them individually. For more information, including an explanation of class path wildcards, and a detailed description on how to clean up the CLASSPATH environment variable, see the Setting the Class Path technical note.

Previous page: Miscellaneous Methods in System
Next page: Questions and Exercises: The Platform Environment

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How to set environment variables for Java using command line

Well, in this article I talked about the JVM, JRE and JDK, which are the cornerstones of the Java programming language. You develop Java applications by using tools like editors, IDEs and servers. These tools need to use the Java compiler ( javac ) and Java launcher ( java ) to compile and run Java applications, but these tools don’t know where the JRE or JDK is.

So, by setting up the environment variables, you tell your tools that:

“Hey, you can find the compiler and launcher here and there”.

The first thing you need to do after installing the JDK is creating an environment variable named JAVA_HOME and then update the PATH variable.

• JAVA_HOME : stores location of the JDK’s installation directory. When you install development tools, they will first check for the JAVA_HOME variable. If found, they will stick with it. If not, they may ask you to manually specify the location where JRE/JDK is installed.
• PATH : stores paths of directories where the operating system will look, to launch the requested programs quickly. For Java development, you should update this environment variable by adding an entry to the bin directory under JDK’s installation directory.

• JAVA_HOME = C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0
• PATH = PATH + C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0\bin

But that isn’t cool, because I’m about to show you how to do the same thing using command line prompt as shown below (Windows 7, 8 and 10):

setx JAVA_HOME "C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0" setx PATH "%PATH%;%JAVA_HOME%\bin";

The setx command permanently updates the environment variables. To add/update system environment variables, you must use the -m switch and open the command prompt using Administrator privilege: Click Start, type cmd . When the cmd.exe icon appears, right click and select Run as administrator.

To add/update system environment variables:

setx -m JAVA_HOME "C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0" setx -m PATH "%PATH%;%JAVA_HOME%\bin";

I prefer setting the environment variables using this command-line alternative. It’s quick and easy instead of going through several dialogs like using the GUI.

To summary, here are some important points:

• Always set JAVA_HOME when preparing development environment for Java.
• JAVA_HOME points to the installation directory of JDK.
• The PATH variable should contain an entry pointing to JAVA_HOME\bin .
• Environment can be set either via the GUI or command line prompt.

Related Tutorials:

About the Author:

Nam Ha Minh is certified Java programmer (SCJP and SCWCD). He started programming with Java in the time of Java 1.4 and has been falling in love with Java since then. Make friend with him on Facebook and watch his Java videos you YouTube.

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