run any location?

From: Pete (pete_at_ima-web.com)
Date: 02/25/05 

Date: 24 Feb 2005 20:37:10 -0800

do you have to be in the directory of the .class file you're trying to
run? or can i be somewhere else, as so:

file location:
C:\javaprograms>helloWorld.class

my location:
C:\

can i do this or something like it?
java javaprograms\helloWorld

it has allowed me to compile that way as so:
javac javaprograms\helloWorld.java
while in the aforementioned user location, i.e. C:\ with the file in
the preceding file location, i.e. C:\javaprograms>helloWorld.class

but i have not been able to execute a program that way..... so can i
run a .class file without being in the current directory of that
file???

if not, i don't understand why the j2sdk-1_4_2_07 would allow
compilation, but not execution in that manner.....

Thanks!

Pete