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I frequently edited the .bashrc file to export new environment variables.

Rather than close the console and start a new one to refresh the env variables, is there a convenient way to refresh?

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2 Answers

up vote 9 down vote accepted

Within the same window, you can simply type bash to start a new one. This is equivalent to closing the window and re-opening a new one.

Alternatively, you can type source ~/.bashrc to source the .bashrc file.

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No need to execute another shell. source is the correct way – Matteo Dec 13 '11 at 6:18
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also there is no need to type long word source. you can just type dot instead of it: . ~/.bashrc. – rush Dec 13 '11 at 6:31
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@Rush typing source shows the user which command is called. I don't believe in showing the shorthanded commands to new users until they understand what the code is doing. – MaxMackie Dec 13 '11 at 6:34
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note that merely sourcing bashrc is not necessarily equal to a restart of bash. defined variables are not automatically undefined. shell options are not automatically unset. sourcing bashrc only executes what is written in bashrc. it does not rollback any other changes in the environment. starting a new bash session inside the old is also not necessarily equal to a restart of bash, as the new process inherits the environment from the old. – lesmana Dec 13 '11 at 20:57
@MaxMackie Considering how source is a bashism that is longer to type yet offers no advantages over its portable across all shells equivalent, ., I don't see the point of encouraging anyone, new or experienced, to use it. – jw013 Dec 15 '11 at 2:27
up vote 3 down vote

Just use

source ~/.bashrc

or

. ~/.bashrc
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