title: getting started with JavaFX and environment variables
body: <p>I'm following the <a href="https://openjfx.io/openjfx-docs/#install-javafx" rel="nofollow noreferrer">official tutorial</a> to get started with JavaFX, and I'm on the step where you set the environment variable <code>PATH_TO_FX</code>. The tut provides two ways to set it, one for linux/mac and one for windows. </p>
  
  <p>I am using Git Bash, which <em>I think</em> is supposed to simulate linux commands on a windows system (please correct me if I'm wrong). </p>
  
  <p>I have tried to set the variable like so:</p>
  
  <p>Linux/Mac:
  <code>export PATH_TO_FX=C:/Program\ Files/JavaFX/javafx-sdk-11.0.2/lib/</code></p>
  
  <p>Windows:
  <code>set PATH_TO_FX="C:/Program Files/JavaFX/javafx-sdk-11.0.2/lib/"</code></p>
  
  <p>The first way gives me an error that <code>C:/Program is not a valid identifier</code>, I think because of the space in the file path. I thought the <code>\</code> was the escape character that would allow a space. </p>
  
  <p>The Windows command gives me no feedback, but when I navigate to my environment variables in windows settings, the variable is not there. I can of course add it in the environment variables menu, but I'd like to understand the command line a bit better.  </p>
  
  <p>I have tried putting the path in quotation marks, and I tried with and without the escape slash that way too. </p>
  
  <p>I have tried just putting "Program Files" in quotation marks, as one of the answers suggests.</p>
  
  <p>I have tried the linux variation with and without a <code>$</code> before the variable name.</p>
  
  <p>I have also tried the Windows variation with and without the <code>%%</code> around the variable name.</p>
  
  <p>I tried the windows variation in <code>cmd</code> as well as Git Bash. </p>
  
  <p><strong>Why is this happening and how do I fix it?</strong></p>
  
  <p>Also, a side question:</p>
  
  <p>Is it it pretty normal that following the directions exactly don't work? It sure seems like it. Every time I want to set up a new system, library, IDE to learn how it works, I must first spend 5+ hours trouble shooting the installation. Following official directions never seems to work for me. Is this something I just have to get used to? </p>