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Java Classpath The classpath is the list of directory locations that the Java runtime environment searches for the classes and other resource files, during program … [Lokesh Gupta](https://howtodoinjava.com/author/lokeshgupta/) January 25, 2022 [Java Examples](https://howtodoinjava.com/java-examples/) [Command Line Arguments](https://howtodoinjava.com/tag/command-line-arguments/), [Java Classpath](https://howtodoinjava.com/tag/java-classpath/)  Learn to use the **\-classpath** or **\-cp** option to *set the Java classpath* from the **command prompt** in Windows and Linux OS. ## 1\. Java Classpath - The *classpath is the list of directory locations* that the Java runtime environment searches for the classes and other resource files, during program execution. - The **default classpath is the current working directory**. - Setting the `CLASSPATH` environment variable or using the `-classpath` command-line option overrides the default value. - If we want to **include the current working directory in the classpath**, we must include `"."` (dot or period character) in the list of paths. - The *value of classpath set from the command prompt is temporary* and is not available if we open a new command prompt. - If we want to **set the classpath permanently** then we should set the [classpath as environment variable in Windows](https://howtodoinjava.com/java/basics/java-classpath/). In Linux, set the value in [bash profile](https://superuser.com/questions/678113/how-to-add-a-line-to-bash-profile). #### Path Separators are Platform Dependent The separator between two paths in the classpath value is platform-dependent. In Windows, the path separator is semicolon ( ; ) and the path separator in Linux is colon ( `:` ). ## 2\. Setting Classpath from Command Line There are two ways : - Use `-classpath` or `-cp` option to provide the classpath locations while starting the Java application or tool. ``` java -cp .;c:/jars demo-application.jar ``` - Use `set CLASSPATH` command initially, and then run Java application or tool in the same command line window. “ It will search the classes/resources in mentioned classpath locations. Classpath entries that are neither directories nor archives (.zip or .jar files) nor `*` are ignored. ``` set CLASSPATH .;c:/jars ``` The above examples are specific to Windows. Please use *colon* as the path separator for Linux. ## 3\. Wildcards in Classpath Generally, we will include two kinds of resources in classpath i.e. classes and jar files. - To **include classes**, give the complete path of the folder where classes are present. `.` (dot) represent the current directory. - To **include jar files**, give the complete path of the folder where jars are present. Add a star (`*`) wildcard for adding all jar files in that directory. > Please note that the jar **files present in the sub-directories are NOT included automatically**. Sub-folders must be included explicitely. ``` ``` ## 4\. How to Clear Classpath Value To unset a classpath value previously set, use this command to clear its value using am empty value assigned to the variable. ``` set CLASSPATH= ``` Happy Learning !\! ### Comments Subscribe 0 Comments Most Voted Newest Oldest Inline Feedbacks View all comments Load More Comments ## Java Examples - [Convert String to int](https://howtodoinjava.com/java/string/convert-string-to-int/) - [Get Current Working Directory](https://howtodoinjava.com/java/io/get-current-working-directory/) - [Convert String to byte\[\]](https://howtodoinjava.com/java/array/convert-byte-array-string/) - [Convert Hex to ASCII](https://howtodoinjava.com/java/convert-hex-to-ascii-and-ascii-to-hex/) - [Generate Random Numbers](https://howtodoinjava.com/java/generate-random-numbers/) - [Calculate Age from Date of Birth](https://howtodoinjava.com/java/calculate-age-from-date-of-birth/) - [Binary, Octal & Hexadecimal Conversions](https://howtodoinjava.com/java/binary-octal-and-hexadecimal-conversions-in-java/) ## Table of Contents - [1\. Java Classpath](https://howtodoinjava.com/java-examples/set-classpath-command-line/#1-java-classpath) - - [Path Separators are Platform Dependent](https://howtodoinjava.com/java-examples/set-classpath-command-line/#path-separators-are-platform-dependent) - [2\. Setting Classpath from Command Line](https://howtodoinjava.com/java-examples/set-classpath-command-line/#2-setting-classpath-from-command-line) - [3\. Wildcards in Classpath](https://howtodoinjava.com/java-examples/set-classpath-command-line/#3-wildcards-in-classpath) - [4\. How to Clear Classpath Value](https://howtodoinjava.com/java-examples/set-classpath-command-line/#4-how-to-clear-classpath-value)  Lokesh Gupta A fun-loving family man, passionate about computers and problem-solving, with over 15 years of experience in Java and related technologies. An avid Sci-Fi movie enthusiast and a fan of Christopher Nolan and Quentin Tarantino. [Follow on Twitter](https://x.com/HowToDoInJava) [Portfolio](https://lokeshgupta.me/) Previous ### [Spring Boot Kafka Multiple Consumers Example](https://howtodoinjava.com/kafka/multiple-consumers-example/) Next ### [Reading a File from Classpath in Java](https://howtodoinjava.com/java/io/read-file-from-classpath/) #### About Us *HowToDoInJava* provides tutorials and how-to guides on Java and related technologies. 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Learn to use the **\-classpath** or **\-cp** option to *set the Java classpath* from the **command prompt** in Windows and Linux OS. ## 1\. Java Classpath - The *classpath is the list of directory locations* that the Java runtime environment searches for the classes and other resource files, during program execution. - The **default classpath is the current working directory**. - Setting the `CLASSPATH` environment variable or using the `-classpath` command-line option overrides the default value. - If we want to **include the current working directory in the classpath**, we must include `"."` (dot or period character) in the list of paths. - The *value of classpath set from the command prompt is temporary* and is not available if we open a new command prompt. - If we want to **set the classpath permanently** then we should set the [classpath as environment variable in Windows](https://howtodoinjava.com/java/basics/java-classpath/). In Linux, set the value in [bash profile](https://superuser.com/questions/678113/how-to-add-a-line-to-bash-profile). #### Path Separators are Platform Dependent The separator between two paths in the classpath value is platform-dependent. In Windows, the path separator is semicolon ( ; ) and the path separator in Linux is colon ( `:` ). ## 2\. Setting Classpath from Command Line There are two ways : - Use `-classpath` or `-cp` option to provide the classpath locations while starting the Java application or tool. - Use `set CLASSPATH` command initially, and then run Java application or tool in the same command line window. “ It will search the classes/resources in mentioned classpath locations. Classpath entries that are neither directories nor archives (.zip or .jar files) nor `*` are ignored. The above examples are specific to Windows. Please use *colon* as the path separator for Linux. ## 3\. Wildcards in Classpath Generally, we will include two kinds of resources in classpath i.e. classes and jar files. - To **include classes**, give the complete path of the folder where classes are present. `.` (dot) represent the current directory. - To **include jar files**, give the complete path of the folder where jars are present. Add a star (`*`) wildcard for adding all jar files in that directory. > Please note that the jar **files present in the sub-directories are NOT included automatically**. Sub-folders must be included explicitely. ## 4\. How to Clear Classpath Value To unset a classpath value previously set, use this command to clear its value using am empty value assigned to the variable. Happy Learning !\!