# The installation directory

You may install the Derby software in a directory of your choice.

See the `index.html` file for pointers to information on Derby.

The distribution includes setup scripts that use an environment variable called DERBY_HOME. The variable's value is set to the Derby base directory.

    C:>echo %DERBY_HOME%
    C:\DERBY_HOME

If you want to set your own environment, Getting Started with Derby instructs you on setting its value to the directory in which you installed the Derby software.

The distribution for Derby contains all the files you need, including the documentation set, some example applications, and a sample database.

Details about the installation:

- index.html in the top-level directory is the top page for the on-line documentation.
- RELEASE-NOTES.html, in the top-level Derby base directory, contains important last-minute information. Read it first.
- /bin contains utilities and scripts for running Derby.
- /demo contains some sample applications, useful scripts, and prebuilt databases.
  - /databases includes prebuilt sample databases.
  - /programs includes sample applications.
- /docs contains the on-line documentation (including this document).
- /javadoc contains the documented APIs for the public classes and interfaces. Typically, you use the JDBC interface to interact with Derby; however, you can use some of these additional classes in certain situations.
- /lib contains the Derby libraries.

- Batch files and shell scripts
  The /bin directory contains scripts for running some of the Derby tools and utilities. To customize your environment, put the directory first in your path.

Parent topic: After installing
Related concepts
Derby libraries and classpath
UNIX-specific issues