[SOLVED] Editing the PATH environment

zeelog · 12-09-2009, 10:22 AM

How can you edit the PATH environment variable ?
I know you can add to it using the export command,
but this just adds stuff to the PATH. I want to chop some
stuff out of it, and then add stuff in.
This used to be so easy in the past. All you had to
do was access /etc/profile and use a text editor on
the profile file. But now I can't see any PATH in
/etc/profile and I can't find the PATH definition
in any other file either. I can see it all using
the env command, but I can't do anything to it.
I just love how they keep "improving" Linux and
making it more useless.

sahko · 12-09-2009, 10:26 AM

You mean in Slackware? Cause /etc/profile has this:

Code:

# Set the default system $PATH:
PATH="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/games"

# For root users, ensure that /usr/local/sbin, /usr/sbin, and /sbin are in
# the $PATH.  Some means of connection don't add these by default (sshd comes
# to mind).
if [ "`id -u`" = "0" ]; then
  echo $PATH | grep /usr/local/sbin 1> /dev/null 2> /dev/null
  if [ ! $? = 0 ]; then
    PATH=/usr/local/sbin:/usr/sbin:/sbin:$PATH
  fi
fi
...
...
export PATH DISPLAY LESS TERM PS1 PS2

zordrak · 12-09-2009, 10:27 AM

Are you in the right forum? Slackware does still have PATH set in /etc/profile. Your post tag suggests you're coming from Ubuntu..

Also look at /etc/profile.d

brianL · 12-09-2009, 10:28 AM

There's a PATH in my /etc/profile:

Code:

# Set the default system $PATH:
PATH="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/games:/usr/share/texmf/bin"

tux_dude · 12-09-2009, 10:35 AM

Maybe you should look more closely. Then the improvement would not be "useless". For slackware PATH is set in /etc/profile and /etc/profile.d

Woodsman · 12-09-2009, 12:24 PM

As already mentioned, in Slackware the $PATH variable is defined in /etc/profile. If you cannot see the variable with a text editor, then from a command line type grep PATH /etc/profile. If the variable is indeed not in that file, then the file has been edited. The /etc/profile file is from the a/etc-{version}-noarch-1.tgz package. The file in the package is named profile.new. If you want the original default file, then as root extract profile.new and rename the file.

You can create your own zlocal.sh script in /etc/profile.d rather than edit /etc/profile. That is one method I use to modify default values for environment variables.

Another method is to use the bash startup scripts.

Hint: Within a public forum where people provide help voluntarily, and in a forum specifically dedicated to a specific distro, you might notice a better response if you eliminate the rants and snide remarks. Many people get frustrated from time to time, especially with something as complex as computers. Been there done that many times.

Yet before posting, a good approach is to calm down and edit the post before pressing that "Submit" button.

patostevens · 12-09-2009, 06:19 PM

With a new install of 13, I have no /etc/profile and under /etc/profile.d there is no script that obviously sets things like PATH. Perhaps zeelog's frustration is justified.

Woodsman · 12-09-2009, 07:10 PM

Do you have a file named profile.new? Have you renamed the file to /etc/profile?

There also should be a sym link to /etc/profile named /etc/zprofile.

The /etc/profile file is in the "a" package tree. All "a" packages are considered required packages for any installation.

Regarding scripts in /etc/profile.d that might contain PATH modifications, the jre-6u11-i586-1 package (Java run-time) from the "l" tree is from the stock installation and installs the jre.sh and jre.csh scripts into /etc/profile.d. If you have the java development package (jdk-6u11-i586-1) from the "extras" tree, then there will be scripts from that package too that modify the PATH variable.

If none of the above apply then perhaps a full installation was not performed?

zeelog · 12-10-2009, 09:30 PM

I must appologize ! I have the WRONG forum.
Slackware's /etc/profile has the PATH all there.
There's no problem editing the PATH with Slackware.
The distro with the problem starts with an F and ends with an ora
so I'll ask at that forum. And your right. No more ranting.
It's not a good idea at all.
So, in a way, the problem is solved. If I really want
to edit the PATH the with a text editor, I just have to
install Slackware.
Thank you everyone for your replies. It was appreciated.

rworkman · 12-11-2009, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patostevens

With a new install of 13, I have no /etc/profile and under /etc/profile.d there is no script that obviously sets things like PATH. Perhaps zeelog's frustration is justified.

No, it's not. A new install of 13.0 WILL have those files. Either you got an incomplete mirror or you did it wrong.

zordrak · 12-11-2009, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zordrak

Are you in the right forum?

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeelog

I must appologize ! I have the WRONG forum.

* Zordrak eats a green 1up mushroom