How to Setup Environment Variables in Linux
Are you working on a Linux system, trying to set up environment variables, but not sure where to start? Look no further! In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to set up environment variables in Linux.
What are Environment Variables?
Environment variables are dynamic values that can affect the behavior of processes running on an operating system. They are used to define system-wide settings and can be accessed by all users and processes on the system. In Linux, environment variables are a powerful tool that allows you to customize your system and improve your productivity.
Why are Environment Variables Important in Linux?
Environment variables are a crucial part of the Linux ecosystem. They allow users to customize their system, run applications, and scripts with ease. Setting up environment variables can save you time and effort by automating tasks and making your system more efficient. In this article, we will cover how to set environment variables for single and multiple users, list all environment variables, make them persistent for a user’s environment, export environment variables, and set permanent global environment variables for all users. So, let’s get started!
How to Set Environment Variables in Linux
Setting up environment variables in Linux can be a daunting task for beginners. However, it is an essential skill that every Linux user must learn. In this section, we will guide you on how to set environment variables for single and multiple users in Linux.
Setting Environment Variables for Single Users
According to Serverlab, setting environment variables for a single user in Linux is a straightforward process. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the terminal application on your Linux system.
- Type the following command to set an environment variable:
export VARIABLE_NAME=value
Replace “VARIABLE_NAME” with the name of the environment variable you want to set and “value” with the value you want to assign to the variable.
- To verify that the environment variable has been set, type the following command:
echo $VARIABLE_NAME
This will display the value of the environment variable.
Example: Setting the PATH Environment Variable
The PATH environment variable is used to specify the directories where executable files are located. Here is an example of how to set the PATH environment variable:
export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/bin
This command adds “/usr/local/bin” to the existing PATH variable.
Setting Environment Variables for Multiple Users
According to PhoenixNAP, setting environment variables for multiple users in Linux requires a slightly different approach. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the terminal application on your Linux system.
- Edit the “/etc/environment” file using a text editor such as “nano” or “vim”:
sudo nano /etc/environment
- Add the environment variable you want to set in the following format:
VARIABLE_NAME=value
Replace “VARIABLE_NAME” with the name of the environment variable you want to set and “value” with the value you want to assign to the variable.
- Save the file and exit the text editor.
- To apply the changes, you will need to log out and log back in or run the following command:
source /etc/environment
Example: Setting the JAVA_HOME Environment Variable
The JAVA_HOME environment variable is used to specify the location of the Java Development Kit (JDK). Here is an example of how to set the JAVA_HOME environment variable for all users:
sudo nano /etc/environment
Add the following line to the file:
JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/java-11-openjdk-amd64
Save the file and run the following command:
source /etc/environment
That’s it! Now you know how to set environment variables for single and multiple users in Linux.
Listing All Environment Variables
In Linux, you can list all environment variables using various commands. In this section, we will discuss how to list environment variables in Linux.
To list all environment variables, open the terminal application on your Linux system and run the following command:
printenv
This will display a list of all environment variables on your system.
Making Environment Variables Persistent for a User’s Environment
According to Linuxize, you can make environment variables persistent for a user’s environment by defining them in bash configuration files. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the terminal application on your Linux system.
- Type the following command to open the “.bashrc” file:
nano ~/.bashrc
- Add the environment variable you want to make persistent in the following format:
export VARIABLE_NAME=value
Replace “VARIABLE_NAME” with the name of the environment variable you want to set and “value” with the value you want to assign to the variable.
- Save the file and exit the text editor.
- To apply the changes, run the following command:
source ~/.bashrc
Example: Making the PATH Environment Variable Persistent
To make the PATH environment variable persistent, you can add it to the “.bashrc” file as follows:
export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/bin
This command adds “/usr/local/bin” to the existing PATH variable.
That’s it! Now you know how to list all environment variables and make them persistent for a user’s environment in Linux.
Exporting Environment Variables
In Linux, you can export environment variables to make them available to child processes. In this section, we will discuss how to export environment variables in Linux.
Exporting Environment Variables for a Single Command
According to FreeCodeCamp, you can export environment variables for a single command using the following syntax:
VARIABLE_NAME=value command
Replace “VARIABLE_NAME” with the name of the environment variable you want to set and “value” with the value you want to assign to the variable. Replace “command” with the command you want to execute.
Exporting Environment Variables for Multiple Commands
You can export environment variables for multiple commands by setting them in the current shell session using the “export” command. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the terminal application on your Linux system.
- Type the following command to set an environment variable:
export VARIABLE_NAME=value
Replace “VARIABLE_NAME” with the name of the environment variable you want to set and “value” with the value you want to assign to the variable.
- To verify that the environment variable has been set, type the following command:
echo $VARIABLE_NAME
This will display the value of the environment variable.
- Run the commands that require the environment variable.
Example: Exporting the DISPLAY Environment Variable
The DISPLAY environment variable is used to specify the X server display to use. Here’s an example of how to export the DISPLAY environment variable:
export DISPLAY=:0
This command exports the DISPLAY environment variable to the current shell session.
That’s it! Now you know how to export environment variables in Linux.
Unsetting Environment Variables
In Linux, you can unset environment variables to remove them from the current shell session. In this section, we will discuss how to unset environment variables in Linux.
Unsetting Environment Variables for a Single Session
According to BuiltIn, you can unset environment variables for a single session using the following command:
unset VARIABLE_NAME
Replace “VARIABLE_NAME” with the name of the environment variable you want to unset.
Unsetting Environment Variables for Multiple Sessions
You can unset environment variables for multiple sessions by removing them from the appropriate configuration file. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the terminal application on your Linux system.
- Edit the “.bashrc” file using a text editor such as “nano” or “vim”:
nano ~/.bashrc
- Locate the line that defines the environment variable you want to unset.
- Remove the line or comment it out by adding a “#” at the beginning of the line.
- Save the file and exit the text editor.
- To apply the changes, run the following command:
source ~/.bashrc
Example: Unsetting the DISPLAY Environment Variable
To unset the DISPLAY environment variable, you can use the following command:
unset DISPLAY
This command removes the DISPLAY environment variable from the current shell session.
That’s it! Now you know how to unset environment variables in Linux.
Setting Permanent Global Environment Variables for All Users
In Linux, you can set permanent global environment variables for all users by defining them in the “/etc/environment” file. In this section, we will discuss how to set permanent global environment variables in Linux.
Defining Global Environment Variables
According to ServerLab, you can define global environment variables by editing the “/etc/environment” file. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the terminal application on your Linux system.
- Type the following command to open the “/etc/environment” file:
sudo nano /etc/environment
- Add the environment variable you want to set in the following format:
VARIABLE_NAME=”value”
Replace “VARIABLE_NAME” with the name of the environment variable you want to set and “value” with the value you want to assign to the variable.
- Save the file and exit the text editor.
- To apply the changes, run the following command:
source /etc/environment
Example: Setting the JAVA_HOME Environment Variable
To set the JAVA_HOME environment variable globally, you can add the following line to the “/etc/environment” file:
JAVA_HOME=”/usr/lib/jvm/java-11-openjdk-amd64″
This command sets the JAVA_HOME environment variable to the specified path.
That’s it! Now you know how to set permanent global environment variables for all users in Linux.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed how to set up environment variables in Linux. We covered the following topics:
- What are environment variables?
- How to set environment variables for a single session and multiple sessions.
- How to list environment variables.
- How to make environment variables persistent for a user’s environment.
- How to export environment variables.
- How to unset environment variables.
- How to set permanent global environment variables for all users.
By mastering environment variables, you can customize your Linux system and make it work the way you want it to. Whether you’re a Linux beginner or an experienced user, setting up environment variables can help you get the most out of your system.
Thanks for reading, and happy Linux-ing!
Keep Learning
We hope this article has been helpful in teaching you how to set up environment variables in Linux. If you want to learn more about Linux administration and command-line tools, check out some of our other articles:
- Introduction to Linux Commands: Learn the basics of Linux commands and how to use them.
- How to Use SSH to Connect to a Remote Server in Linux: Learn how to use SSH to connect to a remote server in Linux.
- How to Install and Use Docker on Ubuntu: Learn how to install and use Docker on Ubuntu.
At Linux Home Page, we are committed to providing high-quality tutorials and resources to help you master Linux and other open-source technologies. Be sure to check out our website for more great content!
Answers To Common Questions
Who can benefit from setting up environment variables in Linux?
Anyone who uses a Linux system, from beginners to experienced users, can benefit from setting up environment variables to customize their system.
What are environment variables in Linux?
Environment variables are dynamic named values that can affect the behavior of processes and programs running in a Linux system.
How do I set environment variables for a single session in Linux?
You can set environment variables for a single session by using the “export” command followed by the variable name and value.
How do I make environment variables persistent for a user’s environment in Linux?
You can make environment variables persistent by defining them in the “.bashrc” file or the “.bash_profile” file in the user’s home directory.
How do I unset environment variables in Linux?
You can unset environment variables by using the “unset” command followed by the variable name.
What if I want to set permanent global environment variables for all users in Linux?
You can define permanent global environment variables by editing the “/etc/environment” file, which sets the variables for all users on the system.