vm ware linux

HI I am using vmware on my windows system and I had the red hat linux working on my system.But the problem I'm facinf certain commands are not working in lunux.
i don't know the reason why

ex : echo $shell

this should dispaly the shell.but system responds with blank line.

ex : echo $HOME
again blnk line

kindly help do i need to change any settings?

try

echo $SHELL

also check whether the SHELL environment variable is properly set in the .profile file in your home directory

same for the HOME environment variable also. This also should be properly set in the .profile file. I worked on unix only not on linux but i believe this will work for u.

yes its working