I've added the bash shell scripts to my new LFS exactly as per the book (version 6.3).

The PATH does not get /sbin:/usr/bin appended to it - even though $EUID is zero. I am logged in as root user, there are no other users created as yet.

I'm trying to understand the script in /etc/profile to see what's not happening but I don't understand the line: local PATHVARIABLE=${2:-PATH}

Please can someone tell me what this line does exactly, it's the {2:-PATH} bit I don't understand. I can't find anything like this in any books or tutorials, but maybe - until I know the answer - I don't know exactly where to look!!

Thanks

${2:-PATH} is an example of parameter substitution, which in this case sets a default value for the variable. It says to use the $2 positional parameter if it exists, or to use whatever follows the ":-" if it doesn't. I'm not sure what "PATH" is here though. Since it's not being called as a variable, it would just be interpreted as a literal string. Perhaps it should be $PATH instead?

Not knowing anything about LFS or how you configure the startup scripts with it, I can't tell you more than that.

Hi David the H. Very many thanks for your explanation, I understand now and it all starts to make sense!

Another little bit learned!

I'm most grateful for your time.

bines