Comment 7 for bug 18574

In a discussion on a Java application, there was a tip on checking the /etc/environment file (https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/freemind/+bug/212588). I have the file, but have never changed it myself. It is not owned by a package. I don't dare to change it manually. What if my changes are bad? Perhaps not now, but later on, when my changes are inconsistent with some future policy?

I need to know the proper way to change the file; which environment variables that are OK to put there and which are not. In which circumstances was the file written to begin with?