Unable to assign env variable using a command's output











up vote
1
down vote

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1












I can set environment variables like this.



➤ foo=bar env | grep foo
foo=bar


But, what if, I can only get foo=bar string after I execute a command (which is my use-case). The simplest way to emulate this is using a simple echo command.



➤ `echo foo=bar` env | grep foo
zsh: command not found: foo=bar


In this, zsh/bash starts interpreting it as a command. How do I fix this?










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  • 1




    It's not clear what you are asking.
    – Emily E.
    Nov 22 at 13:24






  • 1




    FWIW, I find this question very clear. I think it's a good example of How to create a Minimal, Complete, and Verifiable example (MCVE).
    – pjh
    Nov 22 at 19:18















up vote
1
down vote

favorite
1












I can set environment variables like this.



➤ foo=bar env | grep foo
foo=bar


But, what if, I can only get foo=bar string after I execute a command (which is my use-case). The simplest way to emulate this is using a simple echo command.



➤ `echo foo=bar` env | grep foo
zsh: command not found: foo=bar


In this, zsh/bash starts interpreting it as a command. How do I fix this?










share|improve this question


















  • 1




    It's not clear what you are asking.
    – Emily E.
    Nov 22 at 13:24






  • 1




    FWIW, I find this question very clear. I think it's a good example of How to create a Minimal, Complete, and Verifiable example (MCVE).
    – pjh
    Nov 22 at 19:18













up vote
1
down vote

favorite
1









up vote
1
down vote

favorite
1






1





I can set environment variables like this.



➤ foo=bar env | grep foo
foo=bar


But, what if, I can only get foo=bar string after I execute a command (which is my use-case). The simplest way to emulate this is using a simple echo command.



➤ `echo foo=bar` env | grep foo
zsh: command not found: foo=bar


In this, zsh/bash starts interpreting it as a command. How do I fix this?










share|improve this question













I can set environment variables like this.



➤ foo=bar env | grep foo
foo=bar


But, what if, I can only get foo=bar string after I execute a command (which is my use-case). The simplest way to emulate this is using a simple echo command.



➤ `echo foo=bar` env | grep foo
zsh: command not found: foo=bar


In this, zsh/bash starts interpreting it as a command. How do I fix this?







bash zsh






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked Nov 22 at 12:50









Abhijeet Rastogi

9,9191964108




9,9191964108








  • 1




    It's not clear what you are asking.
    – Emily E.
    Nov 22 at 13:24






  • 1




    FWIW, I find this question very clear. I think it's a good example of How to create a Minimal, Complete, and Verifiable example (MCVE).
    – pjh
    Nov 22 at 19:18














  • 1




    It's not clear what you are asking.
    – Emily E.
    Nov 22 at 13:24






  • 1




    FWIW, I find this question very clear. I think it's a good example of How to create a Minimal, Complete, and Verifiable example (MCVE).
    – pjh
    Nov 22 at 19:18








1




1




It's not clear what you are asking.
– Emily E.
Nov 22 at 13:24




It's not clear what you are asking.
– Emily E.
Nov 22 at 13:24




1




1




FWIW, I find this question very clear. I think it's a good example of How to create a Minimal, Complete, and Verifiable example (MCVE).
– pjh
Nov 22 at 19:18




FWIW, I find this question very clear. I think it's a good example of How to create a Minimal, Complete, and Verifiable example (MCVE).
– pjh
Nov 22 at 19:18












3 Answers
3






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votes

















up vote
3
down vote













The problem is that the shell looks for the form var1=val1 var2=val2 ... command before doing expansions, including command substitution (`...` or $(...)).



One way to work around the problem is to use eval to cause the shell to do its parsing after the command substitution is done:



eval "$(echo foo=bar)" env | grep foo


(See What is the benefit of using $() instead of backticks in shell scripts? for an explanation of why I've changed `...` to $(...).)



Unfortunately, eval is potentially dangerous. It should not be used unless there is no other alternative. See Why should eval be avoided in Bash, and what should I use instead?.



Another alternative is to use export in a subshell. One way is:



{ export "$(echo foo=bar)" ; env ; } | grep foo


Since the export is done in a pipeline (and not the last part of a pipeline, which would make a difference for some shells or some modes) it doesn't affect the variable settings in the current shell. If the command is not in a pipeline, then it would be necessary to explicitly run it in a subshell to get the same effect. E.g.



( export "$(echo foo=bar)" ; env ) > tmpfile
grep foo tmpfile





share|improve this answer




























    up vote
    0
    down vote













    It is working for me as expected. Have you tried like below?



    env `echo foo=bar` | grep foo





    share|improve this answer




























      up vote
      0
      down vote













      I'm not sure if I understood your question, but try this:



      $ echo "hello" && foo=bar env | grep foo
      hello
      foo=bar





      share|improve this answer





















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        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

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        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

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        active

        oldest

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        active

        oldest

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        up vote
        3
        down vote













        The problem is that the shell looks for the form var1=val1 var2=val2 ... command before doing expansions, including command substitution (`...` or $(...)).



        One way to work around the problem is to use eval to cause the shell to do its parsing after the command substitution is done:



        eval "$(echo foo=bar)" env | grep foo


        (See What is the benefit of using $() instead of backticks in shell scripts? for an explanation of why I've changed `...` to $(...).)



        Unfortunately, eval is potentially dangerous. It should not be used unless there is no other alternative. See Why should eval be avoided in Bash, and what should I use instead?.



        Another alternative is to use export in a subshell. One way is:



        { export "$(echo foo=bar)" ; env ; } | grep foo


        Since the export is done in a pipeline (and not the last part of a pipeline, which would make a difference for some shells or some modes) it doesn't affect the variable settings in the current shell. If the command is not in a pipeline, then it would be necessary to explicitly run it in a subshell to get the same effect. E.g.



        ( export "$(echo foo=bar)" ; env ) > tmpfile
        grep foo tmpfile





        share|improve this answer

























          up vote
          3
          down vote













          The problem is that the shell looks for the form var1=val1 var2=val2 ... command before doing expansions, including command substitution (`...` or $(...)).



          One way to work around the problem is to use eval to cause the shell to do its parsing after the command substitution is done:



          eval "$(echo foo=bar)" env | grep foo


          (See What is the benefit of using $() instead of backticks in shell scripts? for an explanation of why I've changed `...` to $(...).)



          Unfortunately, eval is potentially dangerous. It should not be used unless there is no other alternative. See Why should eval be avoided in Bash, and what should I use instead?.



          Another alternative is to use export in a subshell. One way is:



          { export "$(echo foo=bar)" ; env ; } | grep foo


          Since the export is done in a pipeline (and not the last part of a pipeline, which would make a difference for some shells or some modes) it doesn't affect the variable settings in the current shell. If the command is not in a pipeline, then it would be necessary to explicitly run it in a subshell to get the same effect. E.g.



          ( export "$(echo foo=bar)" ; env ) > tmpfile
          grep foo tmpfile





          share|improve this answer























            up vote
            3
            down vote










            up vote
            3
            down vote









            The problem is that the shell looks for the form var1=val1 var2=val2 ... command before doing expansions, including command substitution (`...` or $(...)).



            One way to work around the problem is to use eval to cause the shell to do its parsing after the command substitution is done:



            eval "$(echo foo=bar)" env | grep foo


            (See What is the benefit of using $() instead of backticks in shell scripts? for an explanation of why I've changed `...` to $(...).)



            Unfortunately, eval is potentially dangerous. It should not be used unless there is no other alternative. See Why should eval be avoided in Bash, and what should I use instead?.



            Another alternative is to use export in a subshell. One way is:



            { export "$(echo foo=bar)" ; env ; } | grep foo


            Since the export is done in a pipeline (and not the last part of a pipeline, which would make a difference for some shells or some modes) it doesn't affect the variable settings in the current shell. If the command is not in a pipeline, then it would be necessary to explicitly run it in a subshell to get the same effect. E.g.



            ( export "$(echo foo=bar)" ; env ) > tmpfile
            grep foo tmpfile





            share|improve this answer












            The problem is that the shell looks for the form var1=val1 var2=val2 ... command before doing expansions, including command substitution (`...` or $(...)).



            One way to work around the problem is to use eval to cause the shell to do its parsing after the command substitution is done:



            eval "$(echo foo=bar)" env | grep foo


            (See What is the benefit of using $() instead of backticks in shell scripts? for an explanation of why I've changed `...` to $(...).)



            Unfortunately, eval is potentially dangerous. It should not be used unless there is no other alternative. See Why should eval be avoided in Bash, and what should I use instead?.



            Another alternative is to use export in a subshell. One way is:



            { export "$(echo foo=bar)" ; env ; } | grep foo


            Since the export is done in a pipeline (and not the last part of a pipeline, which would make a difference for some shells or some modes) it doesn't affect the variable settings in the current shell. If the command is not in a pipeline, then it would be necessary to explicitly run it in a subshell to get the same effect. E.g.



            ( export "$(echo foo=bar)" ; env ) > tmpfile
            grep foo tmpfile






            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Nov 22 at 19:43









            pjh

            1,584611




            1,584611
























                up vote
                0
                down vote













                It is working for me as expected. Have you tried like below?



                env `echo foo=bar` | grep foo





                share|improve this answer

























                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote













                  It is working for me as expected. Have you tried like below?



                  env `echo foo=bar` | grep foo





                  share|improve this answer























                    up vote
                    0
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    0
                    down vote









                    It is working for me as expected. Have you tried like below?



                    env `echo foo=bar` | grep foo





                    share|improve this answer












                    It is working for me as expected. Have you tried like below?



                    env `echo foo=bar` | grep foo






                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered Nov 22 at 13:02









                    Mohit Kumar

                    584420




                    584420






















                        up vote
                        0
                        down vote













                        I'm not sure if I understood your question, but try this:



                        $ echo "hello" && foo=bar env | grep foo
                        hello
                        foo=bar





                        share|improve this answer

























                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote













                          I'm not sure if I understood your question, but try this:



                          $ echo "hello" && foo=bar env | grep foo
                          hello
                          foo=bar





                          share|improve this answer























                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote










                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote









                            I'm not sure if I understood your question, but try this:



                            $ echo "hello" && foo=bar env | grep foo
                            hello
                            foo=bar





                            share|improve this answer












                            I'm not sure if I understood your question, but try this:



                            $ echo "hello" && foo=bar env | grep foo
                            hello
                            foo=bar






                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered Nov 22 at 13:03









                            downtheroad

                            535




                            535






























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