ok I downloaded 1.4.2 sdk extracted it to /usr/java/version

next I made a file called java.sh containing the line
export PATH=$PATH:/usr/java/version/bin

stuck that file in profile.d and did chmod +x to it

logged out logged in again and typed
echo $PATH

I said to myself yay because the bin directory is in the path

however upon typing java -version in a terminal I got a error saying command not found

a very weird thing if you ask me

furthermore I can goto the java bbin directory and type ./java -version and it shows version fine.

can anybody help

Distro is redhat 8

ebit btw i wrote version in the paths for this post because I can't remember what the folder is called and my other computer is upstairs.

It would be better to simply add the path line to your .bashrc file or the /etc/profile file.
My .bashrc file sources the /etc/profile file anyway.