UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

hi,

1). i would like to know what is meant by environment variables?
2). is the number of envi variables is a constant number for unix systems?
3). how to see the list of envi variables (and the values of the envi variables)in a single command?

4). if this questions were already asked please give the links for the threads?


thanks,
sekar

1) An environment variable is simply a piece of information identified by a particular string that is available to one or more processes on the system. Environment variable names are by convention upper case, though this is not required.

For exmple the PATH environment variable contains a ':' deleimited list of directories to search in order to find any particular command.

2) No. There can be any number of environment variables on a system

3) set | more

thanks Unbeliever,



i got it with set | more
and one more question:

2nd line of the set | more is: EDITOR=vi

1). it means the default editor is vi editor. correct?
2). can i assign a new editor to this environment variable?

1) yes.
2) you can give a try by resetting it to alternate editor.