getenv() not working

Question

I've created a stand alone a java application in Ubuntu 10.04 using Netbeans 6.9. I'm not able to use use the getenv() command in Netbeans, though if i create a separate java file in gedit and compile it in the terminal then it gives the desired output.

System.out.println(System.getenv("TRGRAPH"));

The above code when executed through the terminal gives the desired output but the same code if i try to run in Netbeans then it returns a null string.
Can anyone tell me how to get the output using netbeans??

Answer 1

I use Eclipse, not NetBeans, but I bet they are similar. Look for a dialog that controls how your program gets launched. This dialog probably has a place where you can specify environment variables that should be set when your app is launched.

The other alternative is to set the environment variable before you launch Netbeans.

Answer 2

You need to launch Netbeans from the same terminal after you have set and exported TRGRAPH.

Example, in a terminal:

$ export TRGRAPH=foo
$ netbeans&

Answer 3

It means that TRGRAPH is not defined in the process. The environment gets inherited from the environment of Netbeans. Make sure, that Netbeans gets the variable, e.g., by starting it from a command line or by invoking it using a shell script sourcing your .bashrc (or wherever you define TRGRAPH).

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Alternatively, you can start an external Java process using the ProcessBuilder and pass it any environment you like. Quite complicated, but very flexible.