Configuring the PATH System Variable

Introduction

A path is the name of a file's directory, which specifies a unique location in a file system. Whereas, the PATH system variable ($PATH), specifies a set of directories where executable programs are located. This allows software applications to access commonly executed programs.

There are different methods for modifying the ($)PATH variable on various operating systems. The directions below are based on the most common methods for each operating system. For more information, just use your favorite search engine with the keywords: path system variable along with <the name of the OS you are working on>.