Unix: Getting Export PATH to “Stick”

Question

When setting the export path in Unix, example:

export PATH=$PATH: $EC2_HOME/bin

If I quit terminal and open it back up to continue working, I have to go through all the steps again, setting up the paths each time. I'm wondering how I can set the path and have it "stick" so my system knows where to find everything the next time I open terminal without having to do it all over again. Thanks!

Answer 1

Open ~/.bashrc. This file is loaded every time you start up a new shell (if you're using Bash, which most people are). If you're using a different shell, the file may have a different name, like ~/.shrc.

Add the line you need to the bottom of the file:

export PATH=$PATH:$EC2_HOME/bi

Other info rolled up from elsewhere in the thread:

There are multiple places to put this, depending on your shell and your needs. All of these files are in your home directory:

For Bash:

.bashrc (executed when you shart a shell)

OR

.bash_profile (executed when you log in)

For csh and tcsh:

.cshrc

For sh and ksh:

.profile

Answer 2

Add it to your .cshrc file (for csh and tcsh), .profile file (for sh and ksh), or .bash_profile file (for bash)

Answer 3

You need to find your profile file and put that line in there. Suppose you use bash, the profile files are .bashrc and .bash_profile, found in ~. These files will vary depending on which shell you use.

Answer 4

You have to put those commands into one of the "autostart" files of your shell.

For bash this would be .bashrc in your homedirectory (create it if necessary)

Answer 5

add it to your .bashrc or another .bash startup file.

Answer 6

... and for ksh edit .profile.