Make your self at home

EASY SETUP

Article from Issue 80/2007
Author(s):

Environmental variables give users the ability to set up the command line to suit their own needs.

If you enter a command like ls in the shell, the shell knows that you want to call the /bin/ls program. Bash knows where on the filesystem to look for executables, so there is no need to type in the full path. This path is defined in what is known as an environmental variable. Variables of this kind are also used to modify the appearance of the shell prompt, set the time zone and the user’s home directory, and other things.

Buy this article as PDF

Express-Checkout as PDF
Price $2.95
(incl. VAT)

Buy Linux Magazine

SINGLE ISSUES
Print Issues
Digital Issues
 
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Print Subs
Digisubs
 
TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS
Get it on Google Play

US / Canada

Get it on Google Play

UK / Australia

Related content

  • Command Line

    A few basic tricks can liven up the command line and add a dash of color to your console.

    more »
  • Command Line: Bash Prompt

    Color-coding your prompt may help avoid configuration errors and data loss. We’ll show you how to design your own custom shell prompt with color and control sequences.

    more »
  • Fish Shell

    The Fish shell offers some user-friendly features for command line beginners.

    more »
  • Bash vs. Vista PowerShell

    Microsoft’s new PowerShell relies on .NET framework libraries and thus has access to a treasure trove of functions and objects. How does PowerShell measure up to traditional shells like Bash?

    more »
  • Command Line

    This month, we’ll show you how to decorate your console and give it a fresh new look by adding color to the command line with ANSI escape sequences.

    more »
comments powered by Disqus

Visit Our Shop

Trial Subscription

Digital Subscription

Subscribe

Direct Download

Read full article as PDF:

Command_Line_Environmental_Variables.pdf  (190.49 kB)

DevOps

News

Tag Cloud

Administration Community Events Hardware Linux Linux New Media Linux Pro Magazine Mobile Programming Software Ubuntu Web Development Windows free software open source
njobs Europe
What:
Where:
Country:
Njobs Netherlands Njobs Deutschland Njobs United Kingdom Njobs Italia Njobs France Njobs Espana Njobs Poland
Njobs Austria Njobs Denmark Njobs Belgium Njobs Czech Republic Njobs Mexico Njobs India Njobs Colombia