what's difference bw su and su -root?

[Lakshmipathi]

hi all,
i'm logged as user 'lg' and typed
su and prompts for passwd i gave the root passwd and logged into #.
but when i type ifconfig - its say no cmd found...but i can see ifconfig in /sbin/bin
then i login again as using,
su - root
now ifconfig works ...why is it so..what's difference between loggin as
su and su - root?
Thanks

[devils casper]

su doesn't add path of folders that have root access only in $PATH.
check it:

su
echo $PATH
exit
su -
echo $PATH

[Lakshmipathi]

thanks...yes..PATH varies for two...thanks...but is that the only difference between su and su - and there is no there difference??

[daark.child]

If you use "su", you do not inherit any of the users environmental variables and settings e.g. the path whereas using "su -" spawns a new login shell with all the users variables and settings.

[devils casper]

'su -' changes the present working directory too. its like dropping you at root shell.

[msi_333]

Cool thread , i am new member to this forum and really liked it

[devils casper]

Welcome to the LinuxForums.

[Lakshmipathi]

Thanks guyz..
@ mis333 : welcome to linux forums ...enjoy and happy coding