question on paths and profile files

bignester · 08-07-2003, 01:35 PM

Ive installed the java sdk on my computer now i want to include the binaries in my path for easy execution. I havent set up a profile file yet so wich one do i use

.bash_profile
.profile

Ive used the .bash_profile but when i started up x windows none of the commands worked that i set up.

snocked · 08-07-2003, 01:43 PM

You can use either one. The shell will look for .bash_profile, .bash_login, and .profile, but only use which ever it finds first.

Also, a login initialization will only be executed when you login unless you run the command . .profile after making changes so you don't have to log out and back in again to see the changes.

redhax8 · 08-07-2003, 01:44 PM

If your using bash you can issue the command
export PATH=$PATH:[path_to_java]
to make an addition to your path

For bash you use .bash_profile
For csh use .profile

lfur · 08-07-2003, 03:54 PM

redhax8,

well that's not completelly true. I've used csh and my profile was in csh.login and .profile can be used for all shells. (Just for the sake of it!).

bignester,

there are many ways to do this. Some programs want .bashrc, some .bash_login, some .bash_profile. Well ... I use .bash_profile and use a symbolic link from .bashrc to it.
Sorry for the interruption!

Enjoy