What are environment variables and how do they work in scripts?

What are environment variables and how do they work in scripts?

Environment variables are dynamic values that can affect the behavior of processes on a computer. In scripts, they can be used to store configuration settings, paths, and other data that your script can access.

Can you give me an example of how to set an environment variable in a shell script?

Sure! You can set an environment variable in a shell script like this: export MY_VAR='Hello World'. This makes MY_VAR available to any subprocess started from that script.

How can I access that variable in the same script?

You can access the variable using the syntax $MY_VAR. For example, you can echo it with echo $MY_VAR, which will output 'Hello World'.

Are there any best practices for using environment variables in scripts?

Yes, it's best to use descriptive names, avoid hardcoding sensitive information, and document the variables used in your scripts.