Use Apache Ant as a build tool to compile your application with dependencies or just use the command line invocation of `javac' and `java' which supports classpath options.
The romantic image of an über-programmer is someone who fires up Emacs, types like a machine gun, and delivers a flawless final product from scratch. A more accurate image would be someone who stares quietly into space for a few minutes and then says “Hmm. I think I’ve seen something like this before.” - John D