executablepath

Executable path refers to the filesystem location of a program that the operating system can execute. In most environments, when a user or program requests to run a command, the system searches a list of directories for a file with appropriate execution permissions and a suitable extension (on Windows, this can involve PATHEXT; on Unix-like systems, the executable bit is key).

The search order is determined by an environment variable commonly known as PATH. PATH lists directories separated by a colon on Unix-like systems or a semicolon on Windows. The system checks these directories in order and uses the first matching executable it finds. Absolute paths can be specified directly, bypassing PATH, while relative paths are resolved against the current working directory.

Executables may also have extensions that affect discovery. On Windows, PATHEXT defines which extensions to consider executable, such as .exe, .bat, or .cmd. On Unix-like systems, a file must have execute permissions (and often no extension) to be runnable.

Common tools for locating executables include which or type on many shells, and where or Get-Command in Windows PowerShell. These utilities help verify the exact file path of the program that will be executed.

Managing executable paths often involves modifying PATH to include directories containing desired tools or removing untrusted locations. Security considerations include avoiding directories writable by unprivileged users and ensuring duplicates are minimized to prevent shadowing of important system executables. Examples of typical PATH values vary by system but usually include standard system binary directories such as /usr/bin and /bin on Unix-like systems, or C:\Windows\System32 on Windows.