Do I move the shell script to /usr/bin or /usr/local/bin to be able to use it in any directory?

Thanks
okos

If you mean you simply want to invoke the script as you would most system executables:

scriptname

rather than:

/path/to/scriptname


or

./relative/path/to/scriptname

then all you have to do is put it in /usr/local/bin and ensure that all users have /usr/local/bin in their PATH environment. I suggest /usr/loca/bin because it makes life a little easier to maintain - if you put it in /usr/bin it's lost with hundreds of other scripts and executables. I would also suggest keeping a list of such programs which are not installed by yoru package manager - that way you know what you installed and where and can delete if you decide you no longer want it.

If you want all users on the computer to be able to execute a program, you can copy it or link it in either of those directories (/usr/bin or /usr/local/bin).

If you are the only person that runs this program, you can place it in '~/bin'; this is your bin directory in your home directory('~' is short for the path to your home directory in any shell, aka /home/yourname). It may or may not already be there. If it's already there, it's probably already set up and all you need to do is copy/link the program to that directory. Try it in this order:

1. Check to see if ~/bin is already there:
If it gives an error, then it's not set up, otherwise you probably only need to copy program to it.

2. To set it up:
All new terminals should now be able to call programs in the ~/bin directory.

Good luck and post back if you have any more problems!

Thank you guys for the response.

Three questions,
1. I assume this is done my me and not root since it would be in my home directory.

2. Could you explain the syntax for
I understand that it is telling bash that there is another bin directory in my home directory. I dont just want to mindlessly copy the command without actually understanding the syntax.

3. Putting the script in the /usr/local/bin enables all users? I assume ownership of the script will also determine which user can execute the script. Correct?

Thank you
okos

Hopefully CRC123 doesn't mind me responding to these.

Yes.

All it does is to put the line "export PATH=~/bin:\$PATH" in .bashrc. "export PATH=~/bin:\$PATH" simply adds ~/bin to the list of directories in PATH.

All users will be able to execute it if the permissions are set properly. Ownership doesn't necessarily determine which user can execute it. You might like to read about permissions.