UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Hello everyone,

I am currently trying to program in java in unix platform for the first time, so far it is OK as long as I use class libraries which come with java distribution. Unfortunately when I try to use external libraries I have to use -classpath option which I rather not doing all the time. Therefore I have tried the command 'echo $CLASSPATH' which returned nothing. I have concluded but not quite sure that the java virtual machine links to the common library behind the scene. My question is now is it save to create a new CLASSPATH variable and don't worry about overriding an existing one?

Any help is greatly appreciated and also I apologise for any grammatical mistakes, I have tried my best as English is a second language to me.

staph

-----Post Update-----

I rephrase the question with following; when the echo $somevarible return nothing does it mean the variable exist but has no value or the variable just does not exist?

-----Post Update-----

I rephrase the question with following; when the echo $somevarible return nothing does it mean the variable exist but has no value or the variable just does not exist?

If on bash/ksh, use

Code:

CLASSPATH=${CLASSPATH}:/new/path/1:/new/path/2

If on csh, use

Code:

setenv CLASSPATH ${CLASSPATH}:/new/path/1:/new/path/2

This way you retain the old settings if any and add new ones as well.