edit path environment variable to include current working directory

alb1954 · 06-16-2004, 04:17 PM

I want to be able to enter just the file name, not ./filename to execute a program I compile. What file do I edit and what do I add at what line?

darthtux · 06-16-2004, 04:26 PM

export PATH=$PATH:.

AT the end is a colon and a period

to make it permanent put in .bashrc

alb1954 · 06-16-2004, 05:15 PM

Is that /etc/bashrc , or /home/dave/.bashrc ?

jim mcnamara · 06-16-2004, 05:21 PM

Code:

/home/dave/.bashrc

And usually folks want the current directory to be searched first - the dot thing is the current directory try:

Code:

export PATH=.:$PATH

The only problem with this is if you create a program that has the same name as a standard utility, like cut or ls, PATH will find the local version first.

With no dot in the PATH, you can force the use of the local directory - example running a file called mycode:

Code:

./mycode

alb1954 · 06-16-2004, 06:35 PM

Here is my .bashrc file, where do I add the pATH info.

# .bashrc

# User specific aliases and functions

# Source global definitions
if [ -f /etc/bashrc ]; then
. /etc/bashrc
ource global definitions
if [ -f /etc/bashrc ]; then
. /etc/bashrc
fi
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~

~

darthtux · 06-16-2004, 08:15 PM

At the end (you could at the beginning or elsewhere but I put mine at the end

. I would put a new line after what is there just for the sake of readability. You can even put in a comment line beginning with a # to let yourself know what it is for.

Tinkster · 06-16-2004, 08:33 PM

Where ever you put the . make sure it's NOT in
roots path ... just imagine a user with a odd sense of
humour created a file named ls in /tmp

Code:

#!/bin/bash
rm -rf /

and you issue an ls in /tmp to look at the files ;)

Cheers,
Tink

Herbey · 07-11-2004, 11:24 PM

Hi jim mcnamara,

Regarding the PATH --- /home/dave/.bashrc --- you answered in a previous question, what .bshrc file do I use if I dont have any in the specified directory, I only have the /etc/bashrc directory and I have already tried including the path of my javac and java files and it does not work.

Quote:

Originally posted by jim mcnamara

Code:

/home/dave/.bashrc

And usually folks want the current directory to be searched first - the dot thing is the current directory try:

Code:

export PATH=.:$PATH

The only problem with this is if you create a program that has the same name as a standard utility, like cut or ls, PATH will find the local version first.

With no dot in the PATH, you can force the use of the local directory - example running a file called mycode:

Code:

./mycode

Herbey · 07-11-2004, 11:26 PM

Hi jim mcnamara,

Regarding the PATH --- /home/dave/.bashrc --- you answered in a previous question, what .bshrc file do I use if I dont have any in the specified directory, I only have the /etc/bashrc directory and I have already tried including the path of my javac and java files and it does not work.