Error using PHP exec in MAMP in OSX (El Capitan)

Problem:

• I ran into an error trying to execute a system command in PHP 5.4.4 using exec, shell_exec, or system in MAMP. 
• Example error: “image not found for libcaffe”.
• This command executed fine from Terminal, but would not work within MAMP.  

• <?php
     $cmd = "some command here";   
     shell_exec($cmd);
  ?>

Diagnosis:

• The $PATH did not seem to be correct (compared to what I have in ~/.bash_profile.), so MAMP must not be setting it up correctly

• <?php shell_exec("echo $PATH"); ?>
  

Solution:

• Stop MAMP
• Copy unused environment variables file

• cp /Applications/MAMP/Library/bin/envvars_ /Applications/MAMP/Library/bin/envvars
  

• Edit environment variables file

• vi /Applications/MAMP/Library/bin/envvars
  

• Add the following line: 

• ~/.bash_profile
  

• Start MAMP