How to Add JAVA_HOME

JAVA_HOME is a system variable used by Sun Microsystems' Java JDK software development kit. The JDK is responsible for writing and running Java applications. The JAVA_HOME variable allows applications to find the JDK without having to specify the exact path for every system. It also allows you to install the JDK software in a non-default location. It must be added to the Operating System's system variables after the JDK is installed.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Java JDK

Windows

1. Click on "Properties" under "My Computer."

2. Select the "Advanced" tab.

3. Click on "Environmental Variables."

4. Type the path to the Java JDK folder next to "JAVA_HOME". The default location is "C:\Program Files\Java|jdk<version>." Replace <version> with the version number of the installed JDK.

Linux/Unix

5. Open the file "~/.bashrc" in any text editor.

6. Add the following two lines to the ".bashrc" file:
   export JAVA_HOME=/usr/java/jdk<version>/bin/java
   export PATH=$PATH:/usr/java/jdk<version>/bin
   Replace <version> with the version number of the installed JDK.

7. Save and close the file.

8. Open a terminal window. The terminal window will be found in the operating system's main "Application" menu, under either "System Tools" or "Utilities". You will be presented with a command prompt.

9. Type "echo $JAVA_HOME" (no quotes) to test your configuration.

Tips & Warnings

• If you installed the JDK in a non-default location, specify the new location when defining the variable.

References

• Installing the JDK Software and Setting JAVA_HOME