linux_env_variables.md

List env variables

env
printenv

Shell variable VS Environment variable

Shell

Variables only accessible by the shell, not the subprocess

VAR=123
VAR=azerty
echo $VAR

Environment

Variables accessible by the subprocess

export VAR=123
export VAR=azerty
echo $VAR

Standard variables

• $PATH : List of directories (separated by :) that tells the shell where to look to find exectable command
• $HOME : Same as ~ (because ~ expand to $HOME)
• $USER : Username
• $SHELL : Path to the shell executable
• $PWD : Current directory (same as pwd command)
• $LANG : Locale settings (ex: en_US.UTF-8)
• $TERM : Name of the shell (ex: xterm for MobaXterm)