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Possible Duplicate:
How do I set PATH and other environment variables?

I would like to put the path of a binary in my bash profile which is not present in the usual location like /usr/bin or /sbin. For example, if the following is the path of the binary:

/path/to/bin

How would I put this path permanently in my bash profile so that every time I login I don't need to specify the path of the binary?

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1 Answers1

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You should edit your ~/.bashrc or .bash_profile, and add something like:

export PATH=$PATH:/path/to/bin
Bruno
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Oliver Charlesworth
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  • I did the same but i am not seeing the path after running the command $PATH from terminal. Do i need to do restart? Is there any command for it? –  Aug 18 '11 at 13:54
  • You need to start a new shell. To have an immediate effect, you can also type source ~/.bashrc (or simply . ~/.bashrc). –  Aug 18 '11 at 13:55
  • type source ~/.bashrc to get it to update the PATH immediately. – arunkumar Aug 18 '11 at 13:56
  • the bash profile is only read when you login to that terminal. Start a new terminal, and echo $PATH should be correct. – Simon Elliston Ball Aug 18 '11 at 13:56
  • I am getting following error bash: export: `=/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/path/to/bin not a valid identifier.Even $PATH does not show the path i have added. –  Aug 18 '11 at 14:00
  • @thetna: Please double-check that the code you've added is exactly as I've typed above. In particular, check the $! –  Aug 18 '11 at 14:04
  • @Oli I checked it many times.Got the same. –  Aug 18 '11 at 14:06
  • @thetna: Then I don't know. The code above is valid! –  Aug 18 '11 at 14:10
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    Make sure this bit ->PATH=$PATH:/path/to/bin<- has no spaces in it. – Linker3000 Aug 18 '11 at 14:39
  • Or better: Edit your question to show (paste) the contents of your .bashrc (or at least a few lines containing your edit). – JRobert Aug 18 '11 at 16:01