What is difference between Path and Classpath ?
Answer : Below are differences:
Path | Classpath |
| To compile *.java file to *.class file we need java *.exe file which compile it in class file. To execute this command in operating system one needs to setup and environment using path variable. | To run generated *.class file in java environment java API classpath setting is required which set the path of jar files. In another words: Classpath is just setting up environment of java |
| Path refers to the operating system | Classpath denoted to the development environment |
| In path setting we only set path of executable files | On the other hand classpath we set the path of jars for compiled classes |
Please have example below to set path and classpath on window environment.
Setting path:
- Open your command prompt (Click window –> Run –> Type cmd — click OK) it will open command prompt
- First check if java path is set or not (Type java in command prompt press enter)
- As you see above show ‘java’ is not recognized means path is not set.
- To set java path please enter command as shown in below (Please note: my JDK installation directory is on : C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jdk1.7.0 so that I am using its home directory and including bin folder where all java executable files are available)
- Above will set java path. Check again to confirm if java path set or not. Type java again in command prompt and press enter as show below:
- As you see above now its shows java command full option means we successfully set path.
Setting classpath:
- Open your command prompt (Click window –> Run –> Type cmd — click OK) it will open command prompt
- Enter below to set classpath of any jar file as shown below:
- To set classpath to the folder please see below:
