LinuxQuestions.org - environment variables, are they governed by GDM? or something outside, e.g., echo $so

- Linux - Newbie (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-newbie-8/)

- - environment variables, are they governed by GDM? or something outside, e.g., echo $so (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-newbie-8/environment-variables-are-they-governed-by-gdm-or-something-outside-e-g-echo-%24so-4175454376/)

Fred Caro

03-16-2013 09:28 PM

environment variables, are they governed by GDM? or something outside, e.g., echo $so

There seems to be something missing when I try to search for env, e.g., "echo $EDITOR" or "echo $VISUAL

so what is this governed by on Debian6?

Fred

shivaa

03-16-2013 09:56 PM

Environment variables are not governed by your distro or desktop environment. They are set using your shell & system's initializations files. If some of env variable is missing or not set then you will need to set it.

To check:

Code:

~$ env

OR

~$ printenv

To set a value:

Code:

~$ EDITOR=vi

~$ export EDITOR

~$ echo $EDITOR

vi

kooru

03-17-2013 05:02 AM

Hi Fred,

try read here and here

Regards

Fred Caro

03-18-2013 08:35 PM

Kooru,
thanks, the second 'here' was helpful, especially if every program can have its own set of env although this is given for Ubuntu and not Debian. What is perplexing is the governing file, bashric or profile- from the env command at ~/ there are various defaults (DESKTOP_SESSION=default) or (GDMSESSION=default) which must be governed by the lasting configuration, i.e., bashric or profile, so:
a, will defaults be recognised and overridden, even temporarily
b, whatis a GDMSESSION as opposed to a gimp session?

Fred.

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:02 PM.