How to change PATH in shell script?

You have to generate a new shell using sourceor or .eval

When running a shell script, a new subshell is spawned . This subshell will execute script commands. The shell environment in which the parent thing is happening will remain unchanged in the subshell .

There are many different techniques to address this situation:

1. Prepare a file source file containing a list of commands sourceto be executed in the current shell :

   export JAVA_HOME=/cygdrive/c/dev/Java/jdk1.5.0_22
   export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH
   

   then find it

   source sourcefile
   

   Note that no changes are required at the beginning of the source file , but it can be used.

2. Prepare a script evalfile.sh that outputs the commands to set up the environment:

   #!/bin/sh
   echo "export JAVA_HOME=/cygdrive/c/dev/Java/jdk1.5.0_22"
   echo "export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH"
   

   and then use evalit:

   eval `evalfile.sh`
   

3. Configure and run a new shell:

   #!/bin/sh
   export JAVA_HOME=/cygdrive/c/dev/Java/jdk1.5.0_22
   export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH
   
   exec /bin/bash
   

   Note that when you enter exitthis shell, you will return to the parent one.

4. Add an alias to your name :~/.bashrc

   alias prepare_environ='export JAVA_HOME=/cygdrive/c/dev/Java/jdk1.5.0_22; export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH;'
   

   and call it when needed:

   prepare_environ