Difference between the desktop PATH and switchd user PATH

Vijay Patel · External Since: Dec 22, 2009 Posts: 1

I have user who gets "word too long" error when trying to start the
application from his desktop (as a user). the tcsh PATH when using
the env command from the desktop terminal, is too long.

However, he has no problem starting the application when he logs in as
a root, start the terminal session, and switches the user using su -
jeff. Also, the PATH is lot shorter when I use "env" command.

I will really appreciate if someone can explain why there is a
difference in PATH variable between desktop user env and switched user
env.

Thanks in advance.

-Vijay

Kevin Collins · External Since: Mar 17, 2005 Posts: 41

On 2009-12-22, Vijay Patel wrote:
> I have user who gets "word too long" error when trying to start the
> application from his desktop (as a user). the tcsh PATH when using
> the env command from the desktop terminal, is too long.
>
> However, he has no problem starting the application when he logs in as
> a root, start the terminal session, and switches the user using su -
> jeff. Also, the PATH is lot shorter when I use "env" command.
>
> I will really appreciate if someone can explain why there is a
> difference in PATH variable between desktop user env and switched user
> env.

You need to investigate the env files to see what is altering the PATH (or
path) variable. Look at /etc/csh.login and /etc/csh.cshrc, one of them probably
looks in another directory for additional env files (/etc/profile.d on RedHat).

And don't forget to check the dot files (~/.login and ~/.cshrc) for the user.

Hopefully that helps?

Kevin