How to Set Environment Variables in Bash on Linux

Introduction

Bash (Bourne Again Shell) is the default command-line interpreter for most Linux and UNIX-based systems. It serves as a tool for interacting with the operating system, allowing users to execute commands, manage configurations, and automate repetitive tasks efficiently. Bash provides a wide range of built-in commands and scripting capabilities, enabling users to streamline workflows, manipulate files, and manage system resources with ease.

In this article, you'll learn how to set environment variables in Bash on Linux, allowing you to customize your system, manage application settings, and enhance your workflow efficiently. You can also check out our guide on How to Use Variables in Bash to understand how variables work and how they can be utilized effectively in shell scripting.

Install Bash on Linux

Bash is available on most Linux-based operating systems but may be unavailable depending on the distribution release or version. Follow the steps below to install Bash on your operating systems.

1. Confirm the available Bash version on your system.

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   $ bash --version
   

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2. Install Bash on:

   • Ubuntu/Debian:

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     $ sudo apt install bash
     

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   • CentOS, Rocky Linux, Alma Linux/RHEL distributions:

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     $ sudo yum install bash
     

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   • Fedora:

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     $ sudo dnf install bash
     

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   • FreeBSD:

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     $ sudo pkg install bash bash-static
     

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   • OpenBSD:

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     $ doas pkg_add bash
     

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Set Up a Bash Shell Environment

Linux includes multiple shell interpreters, including Bash that apply to all system users. Bash is the default shell for most users by default and runs under the /bin/bash executable. The /etc/passwd file contains the default shell information for each user. Follow the steps below to set up a Bash shell environment for your active user.

1. List all shells available on your server.

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   $ cat /etc/shells
   

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   Output:

   # /etc/shells: valid login shells
   /bin/sh
   /usr/bin/sh
   /bin/bash
   /usr/bin/bash
   /bin/rbash
   /usr/bin/rbash
   /bin/dash
   /usr/bin/dash

2. The $SHELL environment variable stores the active shell information. Run the following command to view the active shell in your current session.

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   $ echo $SHELL
   

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   Output:

   /bin/sh

3. Change the active shell to Bash using the chsh (Change shell) command.

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   $ chsh -s /usr/bin/bash
   

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   Enter the user's password when prompted to change the active shell.

4. Start a new Bash shell session.

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   $ bash
   

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5. Print the user's active shell environment information.

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   $ printenv
   

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   Output:

   SHELL=/bin/bash
   PWD=/home/user
   LOGNAME=user
   HELLO=WORLD
   XDG_SESSION_TYPE=tty
   MOTD_SHOWN=pam
   HOME=/user
   LANG=C.UTF-8
   .......

   To optimize your scripting experience, understanding Bash variables is essential for managing data and configurations efficiently.

Create and Set Environment Variables in Bash

Environment variables in Bash are dynamic key-value pairs that affect how processes run in a shell environment. Each user has a separate shell environment that affect how processes use variables. There are two types of environment variables:

• Local Environment Variables: Work in the active shell environment and only last for the duration of a shell session. Child shells or processes can't access Local variables.
• Global Environment Variables: Work in multiple environments and are accessible by the active user's shell session and child processes. You can use the export command to make Global variables accessible to all processes in a shell.

1. Run the following command to list all environment variables in the current shell session.

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   $ env
   

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   Output:

   SHELL=/bin/bash
   PWD=/home/user
   LOGNAME=user
   HELLO=WORLD
   XDG_SESSION_TYPE=tty
   MOTD_SHOWN=pam
   HOME=/user
   LANG=C.UTF-8
   .......

   The above list contains all environment and shell variables available in the active user's session. Common environment variables include the following:

   • SHELL: Stores the active shell environment interpreter such as Bash, Zsh, or Dash.
   • LANG: Includes the language and locale settings.
   • USER: Stores the active user's name.
   • HOME: The active user's home directory.
   • PWD: The current working directory.
   • OLDPWD: The user's previous working directory, which allows the use of commands such as cd. and cd...
   • _=: Stores the last executed command.
   • MAIL: Stores the user's mailbox path.
   • PATH: Stores a list of directories and paths the system checks when executing commands.

2. Create a new shell environment variable such as Hello and set World as the value.

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   $ Hello=World
   

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3. Retrieve the variable's value using a command like echo.

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   $ echo Hello
   

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   Output:

   World

4. Convert the shell variable into an environment variable.

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   $ export Hello
   

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5. List all environment variables in the current session and verify the variable is available.

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   $ env | grep Hello
   

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   Output:

   Hello=World

Create Persistent Environment Variables

Environment variables work in the active user's session unless you persist them through the .bashrc file which includes customizations for interactive non-login shells. Follow the steps below to create persistent environment variables available to a user when logging in.

1. Open the .bashrc file in the user's home directory.

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   $ nano ~/.bashrc
   

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2. Create a new environment variable using the export command at the end of the file. For example, APP_NAME and set the value to Test Variable.

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   export APP_NAME="Test Variable"
   

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   Save and close the file.

3. Apply the .bashrc changes in your active user's session.

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   $ source .bashrc
   

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4. Start a new Bash child session.

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   $ bash
   

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5. Retrieve the environment variable's value to verify that it's available to the child process.

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   $ echo $APP_NAME
   

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   Output:

   Test Variable

Create Global Environment Variables

Global environment variables are accessible by all system users and processes. Follow the steps below to create a system-wide global environment variable.

1. Create a new global environment variable. For instance, Hello_System and set This is a global environment variable as the value.

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   $ export Hello_System="This is a global environment variable"
   

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2. Open the /etc/environment/ file.

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   $ sudo nano /etc/environment
   

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3. Add a new Hello-System environment variable at the end of the file.

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   Hello-System="This is a global environment variable"
   

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   Save and close the file.

4. Apply the changes in your active shell environment.

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   $ source /etc/environment
   

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5. Switch to another user.

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   $ su - username
   

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6. Print the global environment variable's value.

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   $ echo $Hello_System
   

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   Output:

   This is a global environment variable

Conclusion

You have successfully configured a Bash shell environment in Linux and set environment variables in Bash. Bash utilizes variables to store specific values, settings, or configurations that apply to processes and shell environments. For advanced use cases, you can apply these variables with conditional statements, functions, and loops.