set library path for current script

Question

How can I set the library path for the current script that's running? I mean I don't want to list a new path for the libraries in a textfile. I tried it using export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=$(pwd)/lib/

This is the script:

#!/bin/bash
LD_LIBRARY_PATH="$(pwd)/lib/"
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH
./X3TC_config

Solution 1

In your script, these two lines close to the top should do the trick:

LD_LIBRARY_PATH="$(pwd)/lib"
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH

Although bash allows you to set and export a variable in a single statement, not all shells do, so the two step approach is more portable, if that's a concern.

If this isn't working for you, check that you are running the script from the right place - using $(pwd) like this ties you to running the script from the directory that contains the required ./lib subdirectory.

If you want to be able to run the script from anywhere, you need to use the absolute path to the ./lib subdir, or construct a relative path from the directory portion of the path to the script using, e.g., $(dirname $0)

Solution 2

you should execute you program in this way:

LD_LIBRARY_PATH=$(pwd)/lib/ <your_executable_here>

Comments

[Jazz]

Do you really mean $(pwd), or do you mean $(dirname $0)?

[nifker]

I mean $(pwd) .

[Gilles 'SO- stop being evil']

The script you've posted does exactly what you're asking. If that's not working for you, tell us where the libraries are located, what the current directory is when you start the script, and copy-paste the error messages complaining of a missing library. I suspect that you're asking the wrong question but I can't tell what the right question would be with so little information.

[nifker]

The libs are in the lib folder but it still says it cant find the "libgtk-x11-2.0.so.0" library

[Atul Vekariya]

@D_Bye, probably. But if you need this setting only for this script your way will mess other programs

[Anthon]

This doesn't change anything for the script that is running (which is what the OP asks for), only for a new invocation.

[nifker]

Do you mean with <your_execition_here> a library?

[Atul Vekariya]

No, by <your_executable_here> i mean the program you run. If its for example script, named testscript.sh the command will become: LD_LIBRARY_PATH=$(pwd)/lib/ testscript.sh

[nifker]

I use the following script: "#!/bin/bash export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=$(pwd)/lib/ ./X3TC_config" To run a game outside from steam.

[nifker]

Isn't it possible to set library path in the script?

[Jazz]

It is possible to export a variable in a script, so that it only affects calls made within that script. Once the shell started by the kernel to run the script dies, so does its context - including any variables you export. I should have made that clearer in my comment.

[Atul Vekariya]

Yes, you can do it by executing your script on this way: . /path/to/script.sh This will run the script in current shell

[nifker]

I tried to run it like that but it says it can't find the libraries that are in the lib folder

[Atul Vekariya]

This way is only if you have the set of variable inside the script

[nifker]

It still says it can't the required "libgtk-x11-2.0.so.0" although it is in the folder.

[Jazz]

What is the command you are trying to call? Does it care about the value of LD_LIBRARY_PATH?

[nifker]

chmod +x testandlaunch ./testandlaunch

[Jazz]

Is testandlaunch the program you are trying to set LD_LIBRARY_PATH for, or the script you are trying to modify to make that happen? It might help if you post the relevant parts of your script as an edit to your question.

[nifker]

It's the script.