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Command Line Variables

In this hands-on lab, we're going to practice setting and using variables in Bash. Variables are an important part of the command line, as well as writing shell scripts. Becoming familiar and comfortable with environment variables is an important step in using Linux.

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Level
Clock icon Beginner
Duration
Clock icon 30m
Last updated
Clock icon Sep 02, 2025

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Table of Contents

  1. Challenge

    Examine the Current `$PATH` Variable

    1. List the current environment variables, and locate the $PATH variable.
    env
    1. Examine the $PATH variable.
    echo $PATH

  2. Challenge

    Append the Path to the `scripts` Directory to the $PATH Variable

    1. Since the path to our scripts directory is missing, we need to append it to the $PATH variable. We can do so with the following command:
    PATH=$PATH:$HOME/scripts/
    1. We should now be able to run the script without specifying the path to it.

  3. Challenge

    Make the New `$PATH` Persist

    1. If we log out, we'll lose our ability to run the script without specifying the path. So we need to make our change permanent. We can do so on this Ubuntu 16.04 system by modifying the ~/.profile file.
    echo 'PATH="$PATH:$HOME/scripts"' >> ~/.profile
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Pluralsight Skills gives leaders confidence they have the skills needed to execute technology strategy. Technology teams can benchmark expertise across roles, speed up release cycles and build reliable, secure products. By leveraging our expert content, skill assessments and one-of-a-kind analytics, keep up with the pace of change, put the right people on the right projects and boost productivity. It's the most effective path to developing tech skills at scale.

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