[SOLVED] Is shell variable EDITOR obsolete?

fanoflq · 03-09-2017, 08:01 PM

I looked at these links:

https://bash.cyberciti.biz/guide/Variables
http://askubuntu.com/questions/27596...current-values

But I am unable to find shell variable EDITOR using
command: set or declare -p

Is shell variable EDITOR obsolete?
If not, how do I find it?

frankbell · 03-09-2017, 08:12 PM

This may help: http://unix.stackexchange.com/questi...ommand-in-bash

Then there's this: http://askubuntu.com/questions/43252...nment-variable

goumba · 03-09-2017, 08:21 PM

You can not find EDITOR as it is likely not set. If an environment variable has not been defined, then it will not show up in printenv or similar commands.

add

Code:

export EDITOR=...

to .profile to set it. Log out, log in for it to take effect.

For a single shell session, you can type the above at a shell prompt. Be aware that it will no longer be set once you exit the shell.

fanoflq · 03-09-2017, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankbell

This may help: http://unix.stackexchange.com/questi...ommand-in-bash

Then there's this: http://askubuntu.com/questions/43252...nment-variable

Thank you.
It looks like the shell variable EDITOR does not exists
until the user defines it.

chrism01 · 03-09-2017, 10:44 PM

It is checked by some utils eg 'crontab -e ..' will look for it.

Habitual · 03-13-2017, 07:43 PM

Yes, in multi-seat computer systems with interactive shells and a number of editors

Code:

export EDITOR=vi

in ~/.bashrc

DavidMcCann · 03-14-2017, 01:38 PM

It's used by things like visudo when it's set. Since they all default to vi, it would only be set if (like me!) you want to avoid the use of vi.