>> (1) We consider /etc/paths to be a "system file". We don't like modifying >> system files. >> (2) Modifying /etc/paths affects all users' settings, which is undesirable. > > Actually it is desirable, or it has at least been desired by some users, e.g.: > > https://trac.macports.org/ticket/36323
Note that it was suggested in this discussion you linked to add files in /etc/paths.d but that would not do what many users want because the paths listed in /etc/paths are put first in PATH and then those from /etc/paths.d are appended. Since /etc/paths lists /bin, /user/bin, etc by default, Macports paths would not override system ones. I like it the other way around and I am not the only one I think. I am happy to see that my initial noise led to informative a discussion after all ;-) And then there the orthogonal issue of Apps launched from the Finder which get PATH from launchd and for which neither path_helper nor shell startup files help. Once upon a time, I hacked a solution with a daemon watching .bashrc and friends to keep the PATH of the shell and that of launchd in synch but eventually I gave up and just launched the PATH-sensitive Apps with "open" from the Terminal. _______________________________________________ macports-users mailing list macports-users@lists.macosforge.org https://lists.macosforge.org/mailman/listinfo/macports-users