why sometimes I can use: - export $VARIABLE=value (ie: export $HOME=/users) and some other times: - export VARIABLE=value (export HOME=/users) or: - export VARIABLE="value" (export="/users") NB: Are the 3 ways ok, yes or no? Are they valid for both Korn and Bourne Shells? ****** On C Shell, how come it's sometimes : - setenv and sometimes - set variable=(value) Thanks

There is more than one way to do something. ;) CSH will accept both setenv or set variable=value use whichever you like. bourn shell does not like export $VAR=value you need to add export $var as the next statement for it to take effect. It is ok to use the quotes as well. This is usually done if you have any special character that has some function. The quotes simply tell the system to ignore it's special function and use the character as part of the value. Hope this helps a little bit.

Taking this further...I am trying to set a "complex variable in IRIX example in Solaris FS1="1 / /dev/rdsk/c0t0d0s0" I need to be able to call the different parts of this variable seperately...