setting environment-variables

tos has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

Hi Monks,

what's to do for assigning a perl-script-result to a Windows/DOS-box-environmentvariable ? On unix i can do it with the perl-script enclosed in backquotes. like

# export X=`perl -we 'print "foobar"'`
# echo $X
foobar
[download]

For the DOS-box i don't know a similar statement.

Or does there perhaps exist a special perl-way to set environment-vars in the calling (father-) process ?

thanks

p.s.: does "foobar" mean something special or is it merely a nonsense word ? I read it a dozen times in computer literature. And the guys in Spielbergs "Private Ryan" often used it, too.

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Re: setting environment-variables by fglock (Vicar) on Jun 12, 2003 at 14:44 UTC
About foobar... update: try this: `C:> perl -e "$a='foobar'; print 'set ZZZZ='.$a; " > foo.bat C:> foo.bat` [download]	[reply] [d/l]
Re: setting environment-variables by Mr. Muskrat (Canon) on Jun 12, 2003 at 15:20 UTC
Another option would be to store the perl script in an environment variable and call it later: `REM MYVAR.BAT SET MYVAR=perl -we "print 'foobar'" CALL %MYVAR% PAUSE` [download]	[reply] [d/l]
Re: setting environment-variables (vienv) by tye (Sage) on Jun 12, 2003 at 15:32 UTC
I have a trick for this. I've used it in several other scripts but I just noticed that I've never uploaded vienv to PM... until now. (: - tye	[reply]
Re: setting environment-variables by Anonymous Monk on Jun 12, 2003 at 15:24 UTC
Look for the Jargon File on any search engine, and search under foo. The WWII military slang is related, but usually spelled 'fubar', as it's an acronym for <expletived> up beyond all repair.	[reply]
Re: setting environment-variables by meredith (Friar) on Jun 12, 2003 at 18:25 UTC
In DOS/Windows, there is only one set of environment variables, not a separate environment for every process. That means that you can add the line `$ENV{x} = $result;` [download] right at the end of your script and it will apply everywhere. If you have a Windows NT/2000/XP system, environment vars are semi-separated -- you can edit the registry to cause a global change, or you can use the line above to control the current DOS box. Also, foobar is a play on FUBAR, which the characters on Private Ryan used to say F00ked Up Beyond All Recognition. ;) We use it now as a nonsense word, kind of a placeholder. Do check that Jargon File reference, though, there's some interesting stuff in there! `mhoward - at - hattmoward.org`	[reply] [d/l]