want to type <exename> instead of ./<exename>
 

I somehow got my FC2 box to behave this way, but I don't remember how. Does anyone know? I have a FC3 box now and I have to always type ./ in front of the exe name.

While this is a security risk, the solution is to add . to your $PATH. You can do so with this command:

What would the exact syntax be to add this to the .bash_profile file?

Here is what I have tried:
PATH=$PATH:$HOME/bin:.
PATH=$PATH:$HOME/bin:"."
PATH=$PATH:$HOME/bin:'.'


When I go to source the file, I keep getting "not a valid identifier":
............/root/bin:/root/bin:.': not a valid identifier


I obviously have the syntax wrong.

Please help

try

PATH="$PATH:$HOME/bin:."

You have to export the PATH variable to the Shell. In your .bash_profile

Don't do this for the root user. It is a security risk. Only add the current directory to the path for non-root users.

I hope this helps
--Ian

Ok, I was beeing hasty. I didn't include the export keyword. Thanks

oh please don't do this, it's really really nasty.

it doesn't make any sense to be able to run a command from one driectory, and not from another. please stick to standards, they are there for a VERY good reason.