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Although many Java developers compile Java programs within IDE it is also essential skill for them to learn how to compile directly from windows shell. In this tutorial I will show you how to install Java SDK and compile your code from within Windows Command Line.

To get started follow steps below:

Step 1: The first thing you need to do is download JDK from Oracle website in order to have the latest version of Java installed on your computer.

Step 2: Once download is completed lunch the installation and follow on-screen instruction. One important thing you need to pay attention to is the location where you have installed JDK, so make sure you write it down somewhere.

Step 3: Now we need to create a main directory where we will be holding all Java files. For example, you can create a folder at c:\java and place .java files and project within that folder.

Step 4: Now click Start menu, type system in search box and press Enter on your keyboard.

Step 5: From window that appears, inside left pane select Advanced system settings.

Step 6: A new window will open with Advanced tab selected. At the bottom of that window click on Environment Variables… button.

Step 7: Under System variables section scroll down to the variable Path and select it.

Step 8: Now click on Edit button.

Step 9: Now you need to include a path which you have remembered from Step 2 and type it at the end of Variable value field. Make sure you close it with ;. So in my case that path will be C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.7.0_07\;

Note: If you add a wrong path in here you will get following error when you try to compile: ‘javac’ is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

Step 10: Click OK three times to save all changes.

Step 11: Now click Start menu, type cmd inside search field and press Enter on your keyboard.

Step 12: Now type cd \java which is the path of folder we created in Step 3.

Step 13: Type javac NewJavaFileName.java where NewJavaFileName.java represent a file name which you want to compile. Press Enter to start compilation.

Step 14: Now go back to your personal Java folder and you should see a new .class file.

There you go. Now you know how to compile Java from Windows Command Prompt.

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