I'm trying to use javac with the windows command prompt, but it's not working.
After adding the directory "C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_16\bin\" to the end of the PATH environment variable, the java command works fine, but using javac gives me the following error:
'javac' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.
Windows OS searches the current directory and the directories listed in the PATH environment variable for executable programs. JDK's programs (such as Java compiler javac.exe and Java runtime java.exe) reside in directory "\bin" (where denotes the JDK installed directory, e.g., C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_xx). You need to include the "\bin" directory in the PATH.
To edit the PATH environment variable in Windows XP/Vista/7/8:
Control Panel ⇒ System ⇒ Advanced system settings
Switch to "Advanced" tab ⇒ Environment Variables
In "System Variables", scroll down to select "PATH" ⇒ Edit
(( now read the following 3 times before proceeding, THERE IS NO UNDO ))
In "Variable value" field, INSERT "c:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_xx\bin" (Replace xx with the upgrade number and VERIFY that this is your JDK's binary directory!!!) IN FRONT of all the existing directories, followed by a semi-colon (;) which separates the JDK's binary directory from the rest of the existing directories. DO NOT DELETE any existing entries; otherwise, some existing applications may not run.
Variable name : PATH
Variable value : c:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_xx\bin;[existing entries...]
I know this may not be your specific error, but I once had a leading space in my path and java would work but javac would not.
For what it's worth, I offer the sage advice: "Examine your Path closely".
Try the solutions here: http://techdem.centerkey.com/2009/05/javahome-command-script.html
These are much more robust to change -- like when you upgrade the JDK or JRE, since there is no hard coded path.
The quick solution (if you don't want to read the blog) is
C:\>for /d %i in ("\Program Files\Java\jdk*") do set JAVA_HOME=%i
C:\>set PATH=%PATH%;%JAVA_HOME%
You can then add these lines to a startup/login script.
I appreciate this is an old question now but my solution wasn't an answer on here so posting it in case anyone else tries all the rest.
In my case, a previous install of the Java JRE (in ProgramData/Oracle/Java) had a path variable at the top of my list of path variables. The contents of that "Oracle" path had a java.exe but not a javac.exe. I added my full JDK path to the top of the list of path variables, ahead of the "Oracle" one, and it then picked up javac.exe as well as java.