For example, if an executable file is in the list of directories
specified by the PATH
system path, the executable can be
found without knowing where exactly it is stored on the system. This
is why you can simply type e
on an &os2; command prompt
to start the &os2; &eexe;: E.EXE
resides in the OS2
directory on your boot drive, which is on the PATH
.
Except for You can edit the current system path settings on the "System paths"
page in the "&os2; Kernel" object.
LIBPATH
, these are
environment variables
that are initially set during system startup through the &cfgsys;
file and can thus be modified later for every session.
The following system paths are defined:
LIBPATH
: the "library" system path, which is searched every time
&os2; attempts to load a
dynamic link library (DLL).
This better contain the &os2; system
directories as well as a dot (".") entry, which stands for the current directory.
See the documentation in the &os2; Command Reference for details.
Note that this is the only system path which is not defined using an environment
variable and can therefore not be changed from the command line. Use the BEGINLIBPATH
and ENDLIBPATH
variables for temporary changes.
SET PATH
: the search path for executables (.EXE, .COM, .BAT, .CMD files).
See the documentation in the &os2; Command Reference for details.
SET DPATH
: the search path for data files. The use of this search
path is dependent on the applications; some applications use this, others don't.
See the documentation in the &os2; Command Reference for details.
SET BOOKSHELF
: this is evaluated by VIEW.EXE
to find
online .INF books. Even though any INF book can be displayed, even if it's not on this
search path, the "Find" facility of VIEW.EXE
will only find items in books
which reside on this path.
SET HELP
: this is evaluated by the PM help facility to display
help panels (.HLP files). Some applications do not specify the full path of help files
to PM in order to display help panels, which requires the help file to reside on this
path. &xwp; does not require such an entry though.