SETENV(3) Linux Programmer's Manual SETENV(3)
NAME
setenv - change or add an environment variable
SYNOPSIS
#include <stdlib.h>
int setenv(const char *name, const char *value, int overwrite);
int unsetenv(const char *name);
DESCRIPTION
The setenv() function adds the variable name to the environment with
the value value, if(3,n) name does not already exist. If name does exist in(1,8)
the environment, then its value is changed to value if(3,n) overwrite is
non-zero; if(3,n) overwrite is zero, then the value of name is not changed.
The unsetenv() function deletes the variable name from the environment.
RETURN VALUE
The setenv() function returns zero on success, or -1 if(3,n) there was
insufficient space in(1,8) the environment. The unsetenv() function returns
zero on success, or -1 on error(8,n), with errno set(7,n,1 builtins) to indicate the cause
of the error.
ERRORS
EINVAL name contained an '=' character.
CONFORMING TO
BSD 4.3
NOTES
Prior to glibc 2.2.2, unsetenv() was prototyped as returning void; more
recent glibc versions follow the SUSv3-compliant prototype shown in(1,8) the
SYNOPSIS.
BUGS
SUSv3 specifies that if(3,n) name contains an '=' character, then setenv()
should fail with the error(8,n) EINVAL; however, glibc currently (v2.3.3)
allows an '=' sign in(1,8) name. Portable applications should avoid this!
SEE ALSO
clearenv(3), getenv(3), putenv(3), environ(5)
BSD 2004-05-09 SETENV(3)