Can't permanently change path
 

I have tried a few things I found searching the net, but it's not working...
I would like to add a directory (from my home directory) to PATH, so the compiler can find my personal libraries.
This is what I've done so far:
$ PATH = $PATH:/home/programs/[name of library]
$ export PATH

$ echo $PATH returns :/home/programs/[name of library]

But it doesn't stay this way!
When I exit and then open a new shell terminal, echo $PATH returns my "old" PATH without the addition.

I read something about changing the bashrc file, but I opened it, and I don't understand what kind of changes I could do...

Thanx!

put it in your rc file -- with bash, use ~/.bashrc

Thanx! That was fast!
Still confused...

This is what my ~/.bashrc file looks like:

# .bashrc

# User specific aliases and functions

# Source global definitions
if [ -f /etc/bashrc ]; then
. /etc/bashrc
fi

# enable programmable completion features
if [ -f /etc/bash_completion ]; then
. /etc/bash_completion
fi



Where do I put the /home/programs/{name} part?

Add a line like you did on console:

You may also put this in /etc/bashrc or /etc/profile for global definition.

But now a noob question back: aren't libraries better added to the system by a tool like ldconfig? I thought this method is usually used for calling commands...

I did that, but it doesn't "stick".
As soon as I close the shell terminal, I'm back to the old PATH.

I don't know anything about Idconfig. Can you use that for "home made" libraries?


By the way:
We should be telling "Norwegian and Swede" - jokes, since I'm Norwegian (even though I'm located in the US)... Juust kidding.

what exactly is the directory structure? (like /home/programs/????? ( are there only libs in here or executables to?)).

as far as ldconfig, define "home made" libs (are they shared libraries, static, objects, etc..).

I'll give an example, so I'm sure I give enough info:

One Directory is Printer. It is in ~/programs which I created for this purpose.
Printer has two directories: /include and /lib.
/include has one file named Printer.h, and /lib has one file named Printer.cpp.
These are from my C++ instructor, and are supposed to be used in a program to print to file.

Sorry I'm so vague, I've just been doing this for a couple of weeks...

Thank you

well, if you add at the bottom of ~/.bashrc the export line above that should work. after you compile Printer.cpp try typing the name of the executable(Printer) and see if it works.

OK Just making sure
My .bashrc should look like this after I'm done?

# .bashrc

# User specific aliases and functions

# Source global definitions
if [ -f /etc/bashrc ]; then
. /etc/bashrc
fi

# enable programmable completion features
if [ -f /etc/bash_completion ]; then
. /etc/bash_completion
fi

export PATH = $PATH:/home/programs/Printer

If I need to add on more, can I just add another line?
I REALLY appreciate your help!

The code above is ok, but for efficency use:

If you want to add more variables just add them. You can add multiple variables to the same export line. For example if you want a variable BOB be globalized.

The variables PATH and BOB will be exported at the same time.

.bashrc is a BASH script that gets run when you login. There is also .logout (I think) or was it .bash_logout if you want Linux do something like clean up before logging out.

Thank you!
This is exactly what I've been trying to find.

You can also put the export PATH = ..... line in the file ~/.bash_profile

.bash_profile is read when you invoke a login shell, .bashrc is read when you invoke a non login shell. I am not 100% sure what an xterm is invoked as.
--Ian