Creating a terminal command programmatically?

Question

I hope this question is okay. Basically what I want to do is create a small program that, using the Ubuntu terminal, I could just call it and execute a command from any directory. For an easy example, something like print Hello World would simply print Hello World back out. Any advice on how I could do this?

#include <iostream>

int main(int argc, char* argv[])
{
    for (char letter : arv) {
        std::cout << letter;
    }
}

I think something like that would work, just a really simple program, but how could I get it to install a command that I could use anywhere?
I hope this makes sense, if I should elaborate on something, please let me know.
To explain why this is not a duplicate, I will elaborate a bit to say that I'm not asking how to call a command from the program. It has been partially answered that I can move my executable file to the /usr/bin/ directory, which was helpful, however I am more-so curious on how I can do it so that if a user downloads and uses my program, they won't have to move the file to /usr/bin/, they can just download and have their global command.

possible duplicate of How do I execute external program within C code in linux with arguments? — Eli Algranti
– Eli Algranti, Commented Jul 13, 2015 at 0:14
I think you misunderstood me, I don't want to call the command from the program, I want to call it from the terminal's command line. Like you would call ls or gedit or something. — Dylan
– Dylan, Commented Jul 13, 2015 at 0:16
Then just put your executable somewhere in the path (/usr/bin, /usr/local/bin) or modify your user's path environment to include some directory inside your home directory. — Eli Algranti
– Eli Algranti, Commented Jul 13, 2015 at 0:20
Okay thanks, I get that part now, but how could I do it "automagically" so that if a user were to use my program they wouldn't need to do anything? — Dylan
– Dylan, Commented Jul 13, 2015 at 0:26

Stack Exchange Broke The Law · Accepted Answer · 2015-07-13 00:34:31Z

4

A command is just a program in one of the directories specified by the environment variable PATH.

Run echo $PATH to see the directories (separated by colons).

A user can "install" your program simply by copying it to any of those directories. Conventionally, /usr/local/bin is for programs installed outside of the package manager, but any one would work. They could also copy it to a new directory and add that directory to their PATH.

If you want it to happen "automatically", then you need to get the user to run a different program that does it for them.

answered Jul 13, 2015 at 0:34

Stack Exchange Broke The Law

59.2k7 gold badges57 silver badges104 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

Dylan Over a year ago

Thank you very much, this is what I was looking for. If you don't mind me asking you to continue, how would someone add a directory to their PATH? I know how to do it in Windows, but I'm not so sure with Linux/Ubuntu. Thanks!

juandesant Over a year ago

“A command is just a program in one of the directories specified by the environment variable PATH.” And has the executable bit set: if it does not have that bit set (with chmod +x command-to-be-given-execute-permissions), it doesn't matter if it is in the PATH.

smith_15 · Accepted Answer · 2015-07-13 00:16:16Z

-1

You need ti use alias command http://www.hostingadvice.com/how-to/set-command-aliases-linuxubuntudebian/ or move your script/bin to /bin/

answered Jul 13, 2015 at 0:16

smith_15

112 bronze badges

4 Comments

Dylan Over a year ago

How would I do this more user-intuitively? Like how when you install maven, you can call mvn. I would like it so if a user were to use my program, they would be able to just call a simple command to use it. Such as print in the example.

Petr Skocik Over a year ago

/bin is for core system executables. Not even package managers usually touch that.

Dylan Over a year ago

@PSkocik Is /usr/bin or /usr/local/bin preferred?

Petr Skocik Over a year ago

/usr/local/bin is (for executables you want to share with other users, otherwise just put it somewhere under ~, e.g., ~/.bin. or ~/.local/bin/ and make sure you have that in your $PATH). /usr/bin if for packaged programs.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Creating a terminal command programmatically?

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

4 Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

4 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related