The Unix Path Environment Variable Specified the Operating System Personality
Posted4 months agoActive4 months ago
jdebp.ukTechstory
calmneutral
Debate
10/100
UnixOperating SystemsEnvironment Variables
Key topics
Unix
Operating Systems
Environment Variables
Article discusses the historical role of the Unix PATH variable in determining operating system personality.
Snapshot generated from the HN discussion
Discussion Activity
Light discussionFirst comment
1s
Peak period
1
0-1h
Avg / period
1
Key moments
- 01Story posted
Sep 15, 2025 at 4:29 AM EDT
4 months ago
Step 01 - 02First comment
Sep 15, 2025 at 4:29 AM EDT
1s after posting
Step 02 - 03Peak activity
1 comments in 0-1h
Hottest window of the conversation
Step 03 - 04Latest activity
Sep 15, 2025 at 4:29 AM EDT
4 months ago
Step 04
Generating AI Summary...
Analyzing up to 500 comments to identify key contributors and discussion patterns
Discussion (1 comments)
Showing 1 comments
JdeBPAuthor
4 months ago
Fun fact: /usr/lbin was still to be found on HP-UX at the time of that edition of Frisch's book; although it had dropped out of official mention in AT&T System 5 between Release 3 and Release 4.
View full discussion on Hacker News
ID: 45247406Type: storyLast synced: 11/17/2025, 2:04:55 PM
Want the full context?
Jump to the original sources
Read the primary article or dive into the live Hacker News thread when you're ready.