Checking and Modifying PATH of a shell in linux using C coding.

[luongo1]

Hi, I'm brand new to linux. I am trying to create a shell using C coding and compiling it on Linux. I looked up on the internet how to check and modify paths via Linux commands on the command prompt:
echo $PATH //to view the paths
PATH = $PATH:[directory] //to add a directory to the path

To my understanding, the path is just a bunch of directories that the program will look into when a program is executed.

How am I to check/modify the PATH using the C programming language?

I'm trying to use an 'execv' function which would run a new program given the path passed in as a parameter.

How would I check the PATH from C? and how would I modify it in C such that when I compile the C code it gives me the shell?


NOTE: This is my first time ever using Linux. I am trying to get my feet wet with it, so please bare with me.
Thanks!

[Rubberman]

The environment variables are context sensitive in that they only persist until the controlling program exits. So, if you change a PATH environment in a C program, its children will get the changes, but when the changing process is terminated, its parent knows nothing about the changes it made. As they say, you can't get there from here.

[luongo1]

could you give me an example?

[Rubberman]

Example of what? Not being able to do what you want? Try it and you will see what I mean. To wit:

shell->c-program (changes PATH) ->new program (sees new PATH)
new program terminates -> c-program terminates -> shell does not see new PATH