I created a this file: /etc/profile.d/pycharm_alias.sh
startPyCharm() {...
}
alias py=startPyCharm
I rebooted the PC, but then the alias is not available:
===> alias
...empty
If I login to the PC via ssh the alias is available:
===> ssh root@localhost
..
root@pc:~# alias
alias py='startPyCharm'
How to make an alias available for all users of a ubuntu linux system?
We use the bash shell.
You can try putting this in /etc/bash.bashrc. It's stated purpose is # System-wide .bashrc file for interactive bash(1) shells. Which seems like it may be what you want. I am surprised that your profile.d solution did not work.
/etc/skel which is copied into the user's home directory when they are created. This would not work for existing users
– stratus
Dec 09 '19 at 14:32
/etc/skel, but sometimes you want to change something after a user was created.
– guettli
Dec 09 '19 at 14:40
/etc/bash.bashrc since it is error-prone if several tools change this single file.
– guettli
Dec 16 '19 at 13:15
~/.bashrc file).Make a shellscript and put it in a directory, that is in "everybody's path".
But it is important to be careful in order to avoid overwriting existing programs or putting existing programs in shadow. You may put the shellscript before an existing program in path, so that the system will not find it via PATH.
In other words, make sure that the name is unique to avoid problems with other programs.
This is my path in Lubuntu 18.04.x LTS.
$ echo $PATH
/home/sudodus/bin:/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin:/usr/games:/usr/local/games:/usr/games
I have an own bin directory, which is automatically found and put in the beginning of the path (with highest priority). But the rest of the path is standard.
I would suggest that you
check that there should be no conflict with the name
type unique-name # shows if it exists and what kind of program it is
which unique-name # shows where an installed program is stored
unique-name # if known but not installed, you get a hint about it
apt-cache policy *unique-name* # package name (may or may not be same as program name)
if no conflict, create a shellscript (this is a trivial example)
echo 'echo "Hello World"' > unique-name
make the shellscript executable
chmod +x unique-name
put the shellscript into /usr/local/sbin if it needs root privileges or otherwise into /usr/local/bin.
sudo cp -i unique-name /usr/local/bin
The option -i prompts you if the name already exists in the target directory.
When you make the shellscript executable and it is in a directory in everybody's PATH, everybody can run it via its file name,
unique-name
There are several short strings that are not yet used as names for standard programs, and you can find such names by testing with
type short-string-to-be-tested
for example
$ type py
bash: type: py: not found
In my computer there is no executable program and no shell built-in with that name, so I can use py as a file name (and I need no alias).
But if you try to run py before renaming your shellscript to that name,
$ py
Command 'py' not found, but can be installed with:
sudo apt install pythonpy
you will find that there is such a program (but it is not yet installed), and it might be a good idea to select another name, for example
pych
which can be a short name derived from your original name PyCharm.
alias deosn't workOne reason the global alias doesn't work is described here:
The method in this answer should not be used. Aliases in
.shfiles in/etc/profile.d/(or/etc/profile) will be defined only for login shells and they will not work in interactive non-login shells. Unlike environment variables, bash can't export aliases to child processes, not even child bash shells. This method may seem to work properly if it's only tested in login shells, such as the original shell obtained by logging on in a virtual console or via SSH, but it fails in their child shells and also fails in shells started by GUI terminal windows. – Eliah Kagan Apr 18 '15 at 0:56
/etc/profile.dCurrently you have /etc/profile.d/pycharm_alias.sh containing:
startPyCharm() {...
}
alias py=startPyCharm
Assigning an global alias to a function isn't necesssary. You could simply create a global function called py that does what StartPyCharm does.
For example, create /etc/profile.d/py.sh containing:
#!/bin/bash
py () {
echo "Running py function in /etc/profile.d/py.sh"
echo "Substitute for py alias which calls StartPyCharm function"
}
export -f py
Replace the echo commands with the contents of your current StartPyCharm () function.
When a user logs in and opens the shell they can type py and a global function is called instead of a global alias to a function.
To see all your functions (both global and local) use declare -F
Why do you want an alias for all users?
Why not create a executable script?
A script is simpler and can be used from all shell, not just bash.
At least in my case using a script instead of an alias solved my issue.
BTW: This is just a work-around, not a real solution to the question.
You just navigate to /etc/bash.bashrc by typing:
sudo nano /etc/bash.bashrc
You then insert the following code after the first #Comment:
alias py='startPyCharm'
Then you hit Ctrl+X, then y, and finally Enter.
Then, in the Console, type only bash and you're ready to go.
If you just wish to set the command to a certain account, use the same steps except for the path, which must be /home/<user>/.bashrc.
~/.bashrcfile). I'll try to find a method to make it work to globally change an alias (but I cannot see a way right now). I think using a shellscript and put it in a directory, that is in "everybody's path" is a good way to do it. So I think your answer really contains a good solution, and not 'just a workaround'. For this reason I will upvote it ;-) – sudodus Dec 16 '19 at 13:33