UNIBASE will substitute environment variables for their values as it is reading dictionaries or format files. If the variable is not defined then it is copied as is for later substitution by, e.g. a shell.
Using Environment Variables is a good way to get a customised application without writing separate programs.
There is a standard set of environment variables that modify the operation of UNIBASE. These are:
| VARIABLE | USAGE |
|---|---|
| COMMA | If set, thousands separators (comma’s) are not used |
| DICTIONARY | Name of data dictionary file (default dict.dat) |
| MAX_LIST | Maximum foreign key list length before displaying a warning |
| MAXIDLE | Idle time (no Keystrokes) before terminal is locked |
| Print Screen Command | |
| TERM | Terminal Type |
| TTY | Terminal Line |
| UBDIR | Location of Unibase configuration files (default /usr/lib/ub) |
| UBERROR | File for logging UNIBASE errors (default .uberror) |
| UBPG | Program to use for screen output (default browse) |
| UID | User Login Id |