Environment Variables Overview

3.9.6 Environment Variables

Ordinary variables lose their validity after the execution of a script. Environment vari- ables declared
or modified using export myvar=... are excluded from this rule. printenv lists all environment
variables with their current value. Important environment vari- ables (see Table 3.7) are preset in
/etc/profile, in .profile, and in .bashrc or .zshrc.
Variable
Meaning
HOME
The home directory
LANG
Localization settings (i.e., language and character set)
PATH
Directories in which programs are searched for
PS1
Content/appearance of the command prompt
PWD
The current directory
Table 3.7 Important Environment Variables
763.10 Strings
Variable
Meaning
USER
The login name of the active user
SHELL
Name of the active shell
EDITOR
Name of the default editor (often vi or nano)
IFS
Internal field separator (decomposition of strings into words)
Table 3.7 Important Environment Variables (Cont.)
Unlike “ordinary” variables, environment variables can be changed using ENVVAR=... command only
for the execution of a command. I gave an example of this earlier when reading parts of a string
into an array:
# the modified IFS content applies only to read
IFS=':' read -a myvar
Another common use looks as follows:
# execute the command without the current language settings
LANG= command
This command deletes the LANG environment variable with the language settings only for the
execution of command. command is therefore executed without the otherwise valid language
settings and returns error messages in English if necessary. (English is the default language when
LANG is empty. English error messages are useful when searching the internet for the cause of a
problem.) LANG does not get permanently deleted, how- ever, but is available again for the other
commands.
No Temporary Change for Bash Flow Structures
The ENVVAR=... command syntax can only be used for ordinary commands, but not for
loops or branches that you initiate using if, for, while, and so on. ye samjho trainer ki tarah

Certainly! Let’s break down the concepts about Environment Variables as outlined in your text. I'll
explain each part step-by-step to ensure clarity, much like a trainer would.

1. Understanding Variables vs. Environment Variables

Ordinary Variables:
These are variables you define within a script or a shell session.
Scope: Their validity is limited to the duration of the script or the current shell session. Once
the script finishes executing, these variables are no longer available.
Environment Variables:
These are special variables that are available to the shell and any subprocesses or programs
started from the shell.
Persistence: They remain available even after the script has finished executing, as long as the
shell session is active.
Setting Environment Variables: You declare or modify them using the `export` command.
For example:

bash

export MYVAR="some_value"

Listing Environment Variables: Use the `printenv` command to list all current environment
variables along with their values.

2. Important Environment Variables (Table 3.7)

Here are some key environment variables you should be familiar with:

Variable Meaning
`HOME` The home directory of the current user.
`LANG` Localization settings, including language and character set.
`PATH` A list of directories where the shell looks for executable programs.
`PS1` Defines the appearance of the command prompt.
`PWD` The current working directory.
`USER` The login name of the active user.
`SHELL` The path to the current shell executable (e.g., `/bin/bash`).
`EDITOR` The default text editor (commonly `vi` or `nano`).
`IFS` Internal Field Separator, used to split strings into words or tokens.

3. Setting Environment Variables Temporarily

Sometimes, you might want to change an environment variable only for the duration of a single
command without affecting the global environment. This is where the `ENVVAR=...` syntax comes into
play.
Example 1: Modifying `IFS` Temporarily
The `IFS` (Internal Field Separator) variable determines how Bash splits strings into words. Suppose you
want to read a colon-separated string into an array:

bash

IFS=':' read -a myvar

Explanation: Here, `IFS` is temporarily set to `:` only for the `read` command. After this
command executes, `IFS` reverts to its original value.

Example 2: Executing a Command Without Current Language Settings

You might want to run a command without the current language settings, ensuring that any error
messages are in English (useful for troubleshooting):

bash

LANG= command

Explanation: By setting `LANG` to empty for this command, it temporarily removes the language
settings. If `command` encounters errors, it will display messages in English. Importantly, this does
not delete the `LANG` variable permanently; it only affects the execution of this specific command.

4. Limitations with Bash Flow Structures

While the `ENVVAR=...` syntax is powerful for modifying environment variables for individual commands,
it cannot be used with Bash flow control structures such as `if`, `for`, `while`, etc.
Why?

Flow control structures are part of the shell's syntax and are not standalone commands. Therefore,
attempting to prefix them with environment variable assignments won't have the desired effect.

Example:

bash

# This will NOT work as intended

LANG= if [ condition ]; then
# do something
fi

Explanation: The above syntax is invalid because `if` is a shell keyword, not an executable
command. To modify environment variables within such structures, you need to set them inside
the block.

Correct Approach:

bash

if [ condition ]; then
LANG= command
# other commands
fi

Explanation: Here, `LANG` is set for individual commands within the `if` block rather than trying
to set it for the entire `if` statement.

5. Where Environment Variables Are Set

Environment variables are typically preset in several configuration files that are executed when a shell
session starts:

Global Settings:
`/etc/profile`: System-wide configuration for all users.
User-Specific Settings:
`~/.profile`: User-specific configuration.
`~/.bashrc` or `~/.zshrc`: Shell-specific configuration files for Bash or Zsh, respectively.

Example: Setting `PATH` Globally

To add a directory to your `PATH` for all users, you might add the following line to `/etc/profile`:

bash

export PATH="$PATH:/new/directory/path"

6. Practical Tips

Viewing All Environment Variables:

Use `printenv` or `env` to list all current environment variables.
Setting Environment Variables Permanently:
To make environment variable changes permanent for a user, add the `export` statements to
`~/.bashrc`, `~/.zshrc`, or another appropriate configuration file.
Unsetting Environment Variables Temporarily:
To unset an environment variable for a single command:

bash

VAR= command

This effectively removes `VAR` only for the execution of `command`.

7. Summary

Environment Variables are crucial for configuring the behavior of the shell and applications.
They persist beyond individual scripts, unlike ordinary variables.
Use `export` to set or modify them globally.
The `ENVVAR=...` syntax is useful for temporary changes affecting only single commands.
Flow control structures require different handling since they are part of the shell's syntax.

By understanding and effectively managing environment variables, you can customize your shell
environment, streamline workflows, and control the behavior of various applications and scripts.

ye samjha analogies ka sath trainer ki tarh roman urdu ma

Bilkul! Chaliye Environment Variables ko Roman Urdu mein, analogies ke sath, ek trainer ki tarah
samajhte hain.

1. Variables vs. Environment Variables: Ek Taqabuli Taqreeb

Aam Variables:
Sochain: Socho aap ek kamre mein kaam kar rahe hain aur kuch cheezen rakh rahe hain jaise
pen, notebook, etc.
Scope: Yeh sirf usi kamre (script ya shell session) ke andar maujood rehti hain. Jaise hi aap
kamra chhor dete hain (script khatam hota hai), yeh cheezen wahan se chali jati hain.
Environment Variables:
Sochain: Ab sochiye aapke paas ek general storage hai jo har kamre (subprocesses ya
programs) se access kiya ja sakta hai.
Persistence: Yeh storage tab tak available rehta hai jab tak aapka ghar (shell session) khula
hai.
Setting Environment Variables: Aap inhe `export` command se set ya modify karte hain.
Misal ke taur par:

bash

export MYVAR="kuch_value"

Listing Environment Variables: `printenv` command se aap sabhi environment variables

aur unki values dekh sakte hain.

2. Ahem Environment Variables (Table 3.7):

Yahan kuch zaroori environment variables hain jo aapko maloom hone chahiye:

Variable Ma'ana
`HOME` Aapka home directory.
`LANG` Localization settings, jaise zaban aur character set.
`PATH` Woh directories jahan shell programs dhoondta hai.
`PS1` Command prompt ki shakal aur rang.
`PWD` Aapka current working directory.
`USER` Active user ka login naam.
`SHELL` Current shell ka naam (jaise `/bin/bash`).
`EDITOR` Default text editor (aksar `vi` ya `nano`).
`IFS` Internal Field Separator, strings ko words mein todne ke liye.

3. Environment Variables Ko Temporary Tarike Se Set Karna: Ek Analog

Kabhi kabhi aap chahte hain ke koi variable sirf ek command ke liye badle, aur baki environment par koi
asar na pade. Yeh waise hai jaise aap apne storage se sirf ek cheez temporarily nikaal kar use karte hain
bina baki cheezen hilaye.
Misal 1: `IFS` Ko Temporary Tarike Se Modify Karna
`IFS`(Internal Field Separator) decide karta hai ke Bash strings ko words mein kaise todta hai. Sochiye
aapke paas ek colon-separated string hai aur aap usse array mein convert karna chahte hain:

bash

IFS=':' read -a myvar

Tashreeh: Yahan `IFS` ko temporarily `:` set kiya gaya hai sirf `read` command ke liye. Jaise hi
`read` execute hota hai, `IFS` apni original value par wapas aa jata hai.

Misal 2: Bina Language Settings Ke Command Execute Karna

Kabhi kabhi aap command ko bina current language settings ke chalana chahte hain taa ke error
messages English mein hon (jo troubleshooting ke liye behtar hai):

bash

LANG= command

Tashreeh: `LANG` ko khali set karke, yeh temporarily language settings ko remove karta hai sirf is
command ke execution ke liye. Agar `command` ko errors aate hain, to woh English mein display
honge. Yeh permanent taur par `LANG` ko delete nahi karta, sirf is specific command ke liye asar
karta hai.

4. Bash Flow Structures Ke Saath Temporary Changes Ki Limitations: Analog

`ENVVAR=...` syntax powerful hai ek hi command ke liye environment variables ko modify karne ke liye,
lekin yeh loops ya branches jaise `if`, `for`, `while` ke sath kaam nahi karta.
Sochain: Agar aap ek puri team ko temporary instructions dena chahte hain, magar sirf individual tasks
par nahi, to yeh syntax team ke saath nahi chalti, sirf individual members ke sath.
Misal:

bash

# Yeh kaam nahi karega

LANG= if [ condition ]; then
# kuch karein
fi

Tashreeh: `if` ek shell keyword hai, ek executable command nahi. Is liye, isse `ENVVAR=...` ke sath
prefix karna galat syntax hai.

Sahi Approach:

bash

if [ condition ]; then
LANG= command
# dusri commands
fi

Tashreeh: Yahan, `LANG` ko individual commands ke liye set kiya gaya hai `if` block ke andar, na
ke puri `if` statement ke liye.

5. Environment Variables Kahaan Set Hote Hain: Ek Misaal

Environment variables aam tor par kuch configuration files mein preset hote hain jo shell session start
hone par execute hote hain:

Global Settings:
`/etc/profile`: Sab users ke liye system-wide configuration.
User-Specific Settings:
`~/.profile`: User-specific configuration.
`~/.bashrc` ya `~/.zshrc`: Bash ya Zsh shell ke liye specific configuration files.

Misal: `PATH` Ko Globally Set Karna

Sab users ke liye `PATH` mein ek directory add karne ke liye, aap `/etc/profile` mein yeh line add kar
sakte hain:

bash

export PATH="$PATH:/new/directory/path"

6. Amli Tips: Ek Choti Se Taqabuli Baatein

Sabhi Environment Variables Dekhna:

`printenv` ya `env` commands istemal karen.
Permanently Environment Variables Set Karna:
`export` statements ko `~/.bashrc`, `~/.zshrc`, ya kisi aur appropriate configuration file mein
add karen.
Temporarily Environment Variables Unset Karna:
Sirf ek command ke liye environment variable ko unset karne ke liye:

bash

VAR= command

Yeh effectively `VAR` ko sirf is command ke execution ke liye remove karta hai.

7. Khulasa (Summary): Ek Akhiriyat

Environment Variables shell aur applications ke behavior ko configure karne ke liye bohot zaroori
hain.
Yeh persist karte hain individual scripts ke beyond, jab tak shell session active hai.
`export` istemal kar ke aap inhe globally set ya modify kar sakte hain.
`ENVVAR=...` syntax sirf single commands ke liye temporary changes ke liye useful hai.
Flow control structures (jaise `if`, `for`, `while`) ke liye alag tarike istemal karne padte hain
kyunki yeh shell ki syntax ka hissa hain.

Environment variables ko samajh kar aur unhe effectively manage karke, aap apne shell environment ko
customize kar sakte hain, workflows ko streamline kar sakte hain, aur applications aur scripts ke
behavior ko control kar sakte hain.

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