What is the difference between environment variables and shell variables?

What is the difference between environment variables and shell variables?

Environment variables are global variables accessible by all processes, while shell variables are local to the shell session.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! An example of an environment variable is PATH, which tells the system where to look for executables. A shell variable example is my_var=5, which is only accessible in the current shell.

How do I set an environment variable in Linux?

You can set an environment variable in Linux using the export command, like this: export MY_VAR=value.

Are there any risks in using environment variables?

Yes, exposing sensitive information through environment variables can be a security risk, so it's important to manage them carefully.