export

The "export" command line tool is a commonly used command in UNIX or UNIX-like systems such as Linux and macOS. It is used to create or modify environment variables within the shell session. Environment variables are variables that hold information about the environment in which a program runs, providing data such as system configuration, user preferences, or temporary data.

When you run the export command with a variable assignment, it creates a new environment variable or modifies an existing one. These variables are then accessible to any child processes spawned from the current shell session. The exported environment variables can be accessed and used by various programs or scripts during the session.

For example, if you run: export MY_VAR="Hello, World!" It creates an environment variable called MY_VAR and assigns the value "Hello, World!" to it.

You can also list all the currently defined environment variables by simply running "export" without any arguments.

Environment variables play a vital role in various aspects of system configuration and customization. Many applications and scripts rely on environment variables to determine their behavior or access specific system information. The export command allows you to manage and manipulate these variables conveniently from the command line interface.