From: Phillip Gawlowski <pg@...>
Date: 2009-12-19T03:49:39+09:00
Subject: Re: Setting Windows Enviroment in Ruby Script

On 18.12.2009 18:24, jackster the jackle wrote:
> I need to set the following windows environment variable at the
> beginning of my script:
>
>      set http_proxy=http://10.1.1.1:8080
>
> This works from the command line if I run this command from the CLI
> right before I run my script but when I try to shell out and the run
> command like this from my ruby script:
>
>      `set http_proxy=http://10.1.1.1:8080`
>
> The environmental variable never gets set.
>
> What is the best way to set an environmental variable in Windows from
> ruby?

"set" only sets a variable for the process that invokes "set":

Quoth Microsoft:
"Use the set command to create, change, delete, or display environment 
variables. The set command alters variables in the current shell 
environment only."[0]

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/ntcmds.mspx?mfr=true

So, your variable gets set, but since the cmd shell expires, it takes 
the environment variable with it.

You could try setting the variable in the Registry, but I advise against 
it (not a robust solution for something that is intended to be 
temporary, and it needs administration privileges).

You could define a Constant in Ruby, though, if only your Ruby script 
needs it, like so:
HTTP_PROXY = your_proxy_ip_address

--
Phillip Gawlowski