Set a bash variable each time the directory changes

Question

I would like a variable available my bash shell similar to pwd but equal to a section of the current working directory, rather than the whole path.

i.e.,

$PWD=/a/b/c/d/e/f  
$PATH_SECT=c/d/e

I have a prompt that displays this path already, but I would like to update a variable in the environment to this value each time I change directory.

How could I do this?

do you need this environment variable only for your bash prompt or to use it in your commands also? — jolivier, Aug 29 '12 at 09:45
I want to be able to run commands in the shell using the variable. — Tom, Aug 29 '12 at 09:50

score 5 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 29 '12 at 11:02

You could use the promptcmd function. From man bash we learn that this function is executed just prior to showing the prompt. It's empty by default (or rather, not defined).

A simple example:

promptcmd(){
    local p=$(pwd)
    PATH_SECT=${p/\/a\/b\/}
}

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited Aug 29 '12 at 13:01

1

You can use an alias and a function in your .bashrc:

alias cd="supercd"  # call the function
function supercd(){
  builtin cd "$@"   # original cd
  PATH_SECT=$(pwd)  # or whatever
}

edited Aug 29 '12 at 13:01

Rody Oldenhuis

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answered Aug 29 '12 at 12:34

perreal

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Set a bash variable each time the directory changes

2 Answers2