Search code examples
perlunixsetenvaliases

How to make setenv to an output of a perl script

I wrote a perl script that prints a path to a very specific file. I want to define a personal environment variables (by using setenv in .aliases file) that gives the output of this script.

For example, let's say that the file "myscript.pl" prints the path "/home/files/reports/file". Let's call the variable (that I want to define in .aliases file) 'myoutput'. I want that when I type "most $myoutput" in Unix, this file will be opened by most, and when I type "echo $myoutput", Unix will print the path.

How can I define a personal variable which value is determined by a script?

Solution

  • If you use bash, you can put the following to your .bashrc:

    export myoutput=$(perl /path/to/myscript.pl)

    For tcsh, use .cshrc instead, and modify the line to

    setenv myoutput `perl /path/to/myscript.pl`

    You need to start a new session to make the variable exist.