software

Introduction

In the expansive universe of Linux distributions, the choice of which one to use can be overwhelming. Among the galaxies of options, two Arch-based stars have shone increasingly brightly: Manjaro and EndeavourOS. Both are rooted in the Arch Linux ecosystem, yet they cater to different kinds of users and offer unique experiences. If you’re currently a Manjaro user contemplating the switch to EndeavourOS, this article aims to help you make an informed decision.

Background Information

What is Manjaro?

Manjaro is an Arch-based Linux distribution that is designed to be user-friendly and accessible. Known for its ‘Install and Go’ philosophy, Manjaro offers ease of use, making it suitable for Linux newcomers. It comes with a variety of desktop environments like XFCE, KDE, and GNOME, among others. Manjaro also features its own package manager, Pamac, which makes software installation a breeze. Automatic updates and built-in stability checks make it a go-to choice for those who want the power of Arch Linux without its complexities.

What is EndeavourOS?

EndeavourOS is also an Arch-based Linux distribution, but it aims to be closer to vanilla Arch. Targeted at intermediate to advanced users, EndeavourOS offers an almost bare-bones experience with the choice to customize your system as you see fit. While it does come with an installer, it is more manual compared to Manjaro’s Calamares installer. It aims to provide the user with an Arch experience with minimal added features, relying mostly on the Arch User Repository (AUR) and Pacman for package management.

Comparison Criteria

To make an apples-to-apples comparison between Manjaro and EndeavourOS, we’ll evaluate them based on the following criteria:

• Ease of Installation
• Package Management
• Desktop Environments
• System Performance
• Software Availability
• Community Support
• Stability and Updates

Detailed Comparison

Ease of Installation

Manjaro offers an incredibly user-friendly installation process via its Calamares installer. It is mostly automated and requires only minimal user interaction.

EndeavourOS, on the other hand, offers a more hands-on installation process. Though it also offers an installer, it allows for more customization during the setup, which might be more appealing to advanced users but intimidating for beginners.

Package Management

Manjaro uses Pamac for package management, which offers a clean, easy-to-use graphical interface. It also supports AUR, enabling a wide range of software availability.

Introduction

The Linux command line is a powerful tool that gives you complete control over your system. But to unleash its full potential, you must understand the environment in which it operates. One crucial component of this environment is the PATH variable. It’s like a guide that directs the system to where it can find the programs you’re asking it to run. In this article, we will delve into what the PATH variable is, why it’s important, and how to modify it to suit your needs.

What is the PATH Variable?

The PATH is an environment variable in Linux and other Unix-like operating systems. It contains a list of directories that the shell searches through when you enter a command. Each directory is separated by a colon (:). When you type in a command like ls or gcc, the system looks through these directories in the order they appear in the PATH variable to find the executable file for the command.

For example, if your PATH variable contains the following directories:

/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin 

and you type ls, the system will first look for the ls executable in /usr/local/sbin. If it doesn’t find it there, it will move on to /usr/local/bin, and so on until it finds the executable or exhausts all directories in the PATH.

Why Modify the PATH Variable?

The default PATH variable usually works well for most users. However, there are scenarios where you might need to modify it:

• Adding Custom Scripts: If you have custom scripts stored in a particular directory, adding that directory to your PATH allows you to run those scripts as commands from any location.

• Software in Non-standard Locations: Some software may be installed in directories that are not in the default PATH. Adding such directories allows you to run the software without specifying its full path.

• Productivity: Including frequently-used directories in your PATH can make your workflow more efficient, reducing the need to type full directory paths.

Temporarily Modifying the PATH Variable

Using the export Command

To temporarily add a new directory to your PATH for the current session, you can use the export command as follows:

export PATH=$PATH:/new/directory/path 

This modification will last until you close your terminal session.

Using the PATH=$PATH:/your/path Syntax

Alternatively, you can modify the PATH variable using the following syntax: