How to add a directory to PATH in the file .bashrc?

Question

After installing python(EPDFee), I want to add the /bin directory to $PATH variable. I am use bash shell. I have found that I have to add the following line in the file .bashrc

export PATH=/home/usrname/epd/bin:$PATH

I have found the file .bashrc, it reads

PATH=$PATH:/opt/bin

# Added by Canopy installer on 2014-03-29

# VIRTUAL_ENV_DISABLE_PROMPT can be set to '' to make bashprompt show that Canopy is active, otherwise 1

VIRTUAL_ENV_DISABLE_PROMPT=1 source /home/an/Enthought/Canopy_64bit/User/bin/activate

Could you please tell me where can I add export PATH=/home/usrname/epd/bin:$PATH to or is should be added in another file?

Answer 1

You can do it like this : Define a EPD_HOME var and append it to PATH

EPD_HOME=/home/usrname/epd/bin    
PATH=$PATH:$EPD_HOME:$HOME/bin
export PATH

Notice that the $EPD_HOME variable is in the PATH variable and is now loaded once you open a connection to your user on the machine.

Answer 2

add the following line to your .bashrc file ...don't forget to replace your path.

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

then do

source .bashrc

to let the changes make effects. I am not sure about other distributions of Linux but It will work on CentOS and RedHat.