how can i set classpath for external jar files in java?

Question

I am using java1.6 without using any IDE.Now i want to use java Mail API for my purpose.So, i copied Mail.jar into d:\\externaljar folder.

And also i have set the classpath as set classpath=%classpath%;d:\\externaljar;

my jdk installation folder is : c:\\programfiles\\jdk1.6 .

But i faced package javax.mail does not exist during compilation.

Please Guide me to get out of this issue?

Answer 1

The jar file itself must be in the classpath, and not just the directory containing it.

And the CLASSPATH environment variable is CLASSPATH , not classpath . My advice would be to never use it, though. Always use the -classpath (or -cp ) option with javac or java to pass the classpath.

Answer 2

与全局CLASSPATH环境变量相比，我更喜欢-cp选项：

java -cp .;d:/externaljar/mail.jar my.application.App

Answer 3

I'd recommend against setting CLASSPATH and instead use the -cp flag:

javac -cp .;d:\externaljar\mail.jar whatever/package/YourClass.java

You may also use wildcarding:

javac -cp .;d:\externaljar\* whatever/package/YourClass.java

Running is the same thing, except you provide the classname with the main method.

java -cp .;d:\externaljar\* whatever.package.YourClass