export doesn't work

Question

test.sh:

#!/bin/bash
export test_var=1

Run the script, then continue to run the command in the terminal: echo $test_var, I got nothing. Why? Since test_var was exported, I thought I could continue to use the variable in the terminal.

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 26 '16 at 04:48

1

export is to allow subshells to inherit the variable, it does nothing to allow a subshell to change a value in the parent.

answered Mar 26 '16 at 04:48

ubfan1

17,838

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 26 '16 at 08:32

1

For it to change your current shell environment, run the script with either

. test.sh

or

source test.sh

answered Mar 26 '16 at 08:32

jlliagre

5,833

Thank you for the info. Though I have used the source command for thousands of times, I never thought about it seriously. I just tested it, the current shell will source the variables in the script whether the variable was exported or not. It's really helpful. – Searene Mar 26 '16 at 10:53

export doesn't work

2 Answers2