how-to-create-an-environment-variable.md

How to create an environment variable

Environment variables are helpful when you need to store API keys or other private information but don't want to risk putting those into a script that would be committed to a public place or use information that would be different for other people who use a script.

Figuring out which shell you're using

Where you store an environment variable depends on what shell software you use.

You can figure that out by running echo $0 in your terminal

Below are instructions for what to do if you're using bash or zsh. If you're using a different shell, I assume you already know how to do this.

Using bash

In a text editor

1. open ~/.bash_profile
2. scroll to the bottom of the file
3. add your variable in the following format:

export VARIABLE_NAME='variable_value'

for instance:

export US_CENSUS_API_KEY='GBOVbxftRxgBqtQTc0AtnQ'

4. save the file
5. run source ~/.bash_profile in your terminal to load your new settings

From the command line

1. In your terminal, run echo "export VARIABLE_NAME='variable_value'" >> ~/.bash_profile for instance echo "export US_CENSUS_API_KEY='GBOVbxftRxgBqtQTc0AtnQ'" >> ~/.bash_profile
2. run source ~/.bash_profile in your terminal to load your new settings

Using zsh

In a text editor

1. open ~/.zshrc
2. scroll to the bottom of the file
3. add your variable in the following format:

export VARIABLE_NAME='variable_value'

for instance:

export US_CENSUS_API_KEY='GBOVbxftRxgBqtQTc0AtnQ'

4. save the file
5. run ~/.zshrc in your terminal to load your new settings

From the command line

1. In your terminal, run echo "export VARIABLE_NAME='variable_value'" >> ~/.zshrc for instance echo "export US_CENSUS_API_KEY='GBOVbxftRxgBqtQTc0AtnQ'" >> ~/.zshrc
2. run source ~/.zshrc in your terminal to load your new settings