Here is the problem. What you suggest will place the variable in the environment, but that is what export is supposed to do.
>From the man for bash export [-fn] [name[=word]] ... export -p The supplied names are marked for automatic export to the environment of subsequently executed commands. Export should allow me to use the variable in other scripts, but it does not seem to be doing what it does if used in the profile. That is what I am confused about. Tony -----Original Message----- From: Mike McCarty [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, January 06, 2007 9:22 PM To: debian-user@lists.debian.org Subject: Re: export question Tony Heal wrote: > Maybe I am looking for something I should not see, but if 'export' places a > variable in the environment shouldn't I be able to see it when using the > 'set' command. I wrote this small script to test this and nothing shows in > set. I know I am missing something. If I had the same lines into > /etc/profile when I log in I see JAVA_HOME in set. > > > > #!/bin/sh > > > > JAVA_HOME='/usr/java/j2re1.4.2_03' > > export JAVA_HOME It *is* set in the sub-process created when you run the script. But that exits. If you execute the shell script in your current shell, then it will work. For that you use the '.' command. Like this... $ cat set_java.sh #!/bin/sh JAVA_HOME='/usr/java/j2re1.4.2_03' export JAVA_HOME $ ./set_java.sh $ set | grep JAVA $ . set_java.sh $ set | grep JAVA JAVA_HOME=/usr/java/j2re1.4.2_03 $ I added spaces to make it easier to read. Mike -- p="p=%c%s%c;main(){printf(p,34,p,34);}";main(){printf(p,34,p,34);} This message made from 100% recycled bits. You have found the bank of Larn. I can explain it for you, but I can't understand it for you. I speak only for myself, and I am unanimous in that! -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]