I recently installed Cygwin on my windows vista to practice on Linux\unix commands.
I am unable to do a simple task of declaring variables on the command prompt
I am trying:

$ vech=Bus
$ echo $vech

bash: vech : command not found
What am I missing? Do i need to add something to .bashrc?

Also, I remember right click on the shell command gives the ability to copy or paste text from the shell. I am using Bash, how do I copy n paste text on shell window?
Thanks much

(You shouldn't have to do this, but I don't have cygwin handy to do testing on) try:

Hey rweaver,
Thanks. It worked. But why do I need to export the same?
Bash shell does not demand all variables to be exported while being declared.

Lemme know if you figure it out
Thanks again

What you typed should work.
The export command takes a variable and exports it to the environment. About the only option you make when installing Cygwin is to use Unix newlines instead of MS's enter / newline pair. I always go for Unix returns do I don't have to run "dos2unix" before transfering to a Unix or Linux machine. If you have MS style returns in scripts (e.g. create a script or makefile in Windows and copy then to Linux) they won't work in Linux.

To cut and paste you need to use the drop down menu for the upper left corner close button. Right click, select mark, make your selection and press 'enter' on your keypad. You paste from the menu. (maybe shift-menu) works but I don't remember.

At least "ctrl-R" works which allows you to recall previous commands.

Sorry, but did you type the '$' in front of the command. That is just the prompt for the regular user.

Enter in:
vech=Bus
echo $vech

without the dollar sign.