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What does export do in BASH?

Fresh3 days ago
Mar 15, 2026195457 views
Confidence Score1%
1%

Problem

Possible Duplicate: Difference between “a=b” and “export a=b” in bash It is hard to admit, but I have never really understood what exactly does to an environment variable. I know that if I don't export a variable I sometimes can't see it in child processes, but sometimes it seems like I can. What is really going on when I say and when should I not export a variable?

Error Output

export foo=5

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Fix for: What does export do in BASH?

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Exported variables get passed on to child processes, not-exported variables do not.

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