System for automatically altering environment variable to run proper executable file by removing references to all except one duplicate file in the path sequence

A computer program product tangibly-embodied in a tangible computer readable media for use in a data processing system for correcting a path sequence of an environment variable in a data processing system, the path sequence specifying an order for searching a plurality of different directories for locating executable code within the data processing system, the computer program product comprising:

• first instructions for monitoring the data processing system for a change effecting the path sequence of the environment variable, wherein the environment variable is enabled and being used by the data processing system to specify the order for searching the plurality of different directories within the data processing system;
• second instructions, responsive to detection of the change effecting the path sequence of the environment variable, for determining whether any duplicate files exist in any of the directories identified by the path sequence;
• third instructions, responsive to determining that duplicate files do exist, for automatically altering the path sequence of the environment variable to ensure that a proper executable file is found and executed when selected by one of a user and a running application program, wherein the instructions for altering the path sequence of the environment variable comprises removing references to all but one of duplicate files in the path sequence of the environment variable;
• and
• fourth instructions, responsive to altering the path sequence, for using the altered path sequence to find and execute the proper executable file.

A system for correcting a path sequence of an environment variable in a hardware data processing system, the path sequence specifying an order for searching a plurality of different directories for locating executable code within the data processing system, the system comprising:

• first means for monitoring the hardware data processing system for a change effecting the path sequence of the environment variable, wherein the environment variable is enabled and being used by the hardware data processing system to specify the order for searching the plurality of different directories within the hardware data processing system;
• second means, responsive to detection of the change effecting the path sequence of the environment variable, for determining whether any duplicate files exist in any of the directories identified by the path sequence;
• third means, responsive to determining that duplicate files do exist, for automatically altering the path sequence of the environment variable to ensure that a proper executable file is found and executed when selected by one of a user and a running application program, wherein the means for altering the path sequence of the environment variable comprises removing references to all but one of duplicate files in the path sequence of the environment variable;
• and
• fourth means, responsive to altering the path sequence, for using the altered path sequence to find and execute the proper executable file.