Other Shell Variables

HOME=directory

The home directory is set by the login from the /etc/passwd file.

IFS='chars'

IFS are the input field separators. The default value of the string is space, tab and newline.

OPTERR=n

If n=1, which is the default value, then Bash prints error messages from the built-in getopts command.

PATH=pathname_list

One or more pathnames, delimited by colons, in which to search for commands to execute. /bin:/usr/bin is the default on some systems.

PS1=string

The primary prompt string. The default value is $. See also: the example given at the Special Prompt Strings page.

PS2=string

The secondary prompt string is used in multiline commands. The default value is >.

PS3=string

The prompt string used in select loops. The default value is #?. See also: The SELECT statement.

PS4=string

The prompt string for execution trace: bash -x or set -x. The default value is +.

SHELL=path_to_binary

The path to user’s default shell, which is often /bin/sh. If this variable is not in the environment at startup, then Bash sets it.

2022-01-30