Java Environment

Setting up Java environment will help in smooth functioning and save valuable time. 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. 
•    It is useful to set the environment PATH variable permanently. To make a permanent change to the PATH variable, use the System icon in the Control Panel. Procedure for setting up the environment variable varies depending on the version of Windows: 
•    The following is an example of a PATH environment variable:

C:Javajdk1.8.0in; C:WindowsSystem32;C:Windows; C:WindowsSystem32Wbem 

Windows XP:

• Select Start from the taskbar, select Control Panel. double click System, and select the Advanced tab.
• 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.
• 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.

Windows Vista:

• From the desktop, right-click the My Computer icon.
• Choose Properties from the context menu.
• Click the Advanced tab (Advanced system settings link in Vista).
• 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.
• 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.

Windows 7:

• From the desktop, right-click the Computer icon
• Choose Properties from the context menu.
• Click the Advanced system settings link.
• 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.
• 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.

Solaris and Linux

To set the Java environment 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 )

For bash, edit the startup file (~/.bashrc):
PATH=/usr/local/jdk1.7.0/bin:
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:
export PATH

For sh, edit the profile file (~/.profile):
PATH=/usr/local/jdk1.7.0/bin:
export PATH 

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

For C shell (csh):
% source ~/.cshrc
% java -version

For ksh, bash, or sh:):
% . /.profile
% java -version