[plug] Questions for information

[Michael Hunt]

> More of a question in a similar vain than a response (hope you don't mind
> James :)...I was just wondering if anyone could tell me why sometimes a
> script or executable can be run simply by entering it's name
> (while in the
> same dir) and yet another has to have it's complete address to run (once
> again, even when in the same dir).

I think you will find this is a PATH issue. Unlike DOS where the current
directory you are in is appended to the system PATH, Linux (and other Unices
and derivatives) work on the principle that this is a security risk and you
need to specify the current working directory by typing ./<command_name> if
the directory is not in your PATH.

For this and lots of other useful Linux command stuff you might find the
'LINUX: Rute User's Tutorial and Exposition (Version 1)' by Paul Sheer very
useful.

The homepage for it is:

http://rute.sourceforge.net/ with the section specifically dealing with PATH
found at:

http://rute.sourceforge.net/node7.html#SECTION007180000000000000000.

This is the best all-round Linux primer that I have ever seen and I
recommend it as a excellent starting point for anyone who is serious about
learning Linux.

Michael Hunt