Shell variables only apply to the current shell, not any child processes.
Similarly, many administrators use the JAVA_HOME= environment variable to point programs to specific versions of Java on a system.Ī few key points to keep in mind when working with Linux environment variables are: For example, a user’s default shell is defined in the SHELL variable. Environment variables define a variety of aspects related to how a Linux system works. Linux environment variables are dynamic variables used by a shell and its child processes. #What are Environment Variables in Linux? In this Linux tutorial, we’ll take a closer look at what Linux environment variables are, how they differ from shell variables, and how you can list, set, and manage them.
Environment variables are a key aspect of Linux system administration and provide engineers with a powerful tool for customizing systems.