bash Quick Reference

Name

export

Synopsis

export [variables]
export [name=[value] …]
export -p
export [-fn] [name=[value] …]

Pass (export) the value of one or more shell variables, giving global meaning to the variables (which are local by default). For example, a variable defined in one shell script must be exported if its value is used in other programs called by the script. If no variables are given, export lists the variables exported by the current shell. The second form is the POSIX version, which is similar to the first form, except that you can set a variable name to a value before exporting it.

Options

-f

Names refer to functions; the functions are exported in the environment.

-n

Remove the named variables or functions from the environment.

-p

Print export before printing the names and values of exported variables. This allows saving a list of exported variables for rereading later.

Examples

In the original Bourne shell, you would type:

TERM=vt100
export TERM

In Bash, you could type this instead:

export TERM=vt100