[SOLVED] How to add an environment variable to the PATH?

ggyyree · 11-19-2009, 05:33 PM

I use Opensuse 11, and I build some C++ target under,

Code:

/opt/MyTools/bin

There are several programs under /opt/MyTools/bin I want to use directly from Bash (I don't want to type the full path but just the name of the program anywhere from Bash). I try to set the environment variable for the $PATH in .bashrc and .profile below,

Code:

export $PATH=$PATH:/opt/MyTools/bin

Then I source both .bashrc and .profile and echo the $PATH.

Code:

# source .bashrc
# source .profile
# echo $PATH

It seems the $PATH has been changed correctly; however, from the bash it can't find the program...I even try to create a .bash_profile but it doesn't work as well.

Code:

bash: ./displayGeometry: No such file or directory

Any suggestion would be appreciate. Thanks.

sarum1990 · 11-19-2009, 06:39 PM

I'm not sure, but I think you actually want:

Code:

export PATH=$PATH:/opt/MyTools/bin

(without the $ before the first path)

Also you should be able to just run

Code:

displayGeometry

instead of

Code:

./displayGeometry

Hope this helps

Tinkster · 11-19-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggyyree

I use Opensuse 11, and I build some C++ target under,

Code:

/opt/MyTools/bin

There are several programs under /opt/MyTools/bin I want to use directly from Bash (I don't want to type the full path but just the name of the program anywhere from Bash). I try to set the environment variable for the $PATH in .bashrc and .profile below,

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggyyree

Code:

export $PATH=$PATH:/opt/MyTools/bin

Then I source both .bashrc and .profile and echo the $PATH.

Did that export statement actually work?!
It *should* say:

Code:

export PATH=$PATH:/opt/MyTools/bin

Code:

# source .bashrc
# source .profile
# echo $PATH

It seems the $PATH has been changed correctly; however, from the bash it can't find the program...I even try to create a .bash_profile but it doesn't work as well.

Code:

bash: ./displayGeometry: No such file or directory

Any suggestion would be appreciate. Thanks.[/QUOTE]

If it's not in the current working directory, a ./ won't
work. And what is your actual interactive shell?

Cheers,
Tink

seaking1 · 11-19-2009, 06:43 PM

Your syntax says you typed
<code>./displayGeometry</code>

Unless you are in the directory with the program, that will not work.
Having added the path to your $PATH you should be able to type
<code>displayGeometry</code>
from anywhere on your system.

The './' in front of your command is basically a shortcut absolute path telling bash to look for the program in you current working directory (.).

ggyyree · 11-20-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarum1990

I'm not sure, but I think you actually want:

Code:

export PATH=$PATH:/opt/MyTools/bin

(without the $ before the first path)

Also you should be able to just run

Code:

displayGeometry

instead of

Code:

./displayGeometry

Hope this helps

Sorry about my typo. Yes, it should be export PATH=$PATH:/opt/MyTools/bin.

Thanks a lot, displayGeometry works without ./ as seaking1 explained as well. Thank you for all of you.