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What are these unix 'dot' files?
This How-to is intended for:
Undergraduates
Unix dot files and what some of them are.
One thing that is striking about Unix is the unbelievable number of dot files that seem to multiply everytime you log in. Below is a list of some of the many common ones with a short definition of what they are for, how they are used and a reference as to where you can find out more about them.
Trivia: You'll notice the a lot of these files traditionally start with a dot and end with the letters "rc" which is short for "run command".
"Dot Rot" - Understanding the Plague
- .login
- A login script containing environment and terminal settings that is executed upon login. Note: This script is executed AFTER shell initialisation scripts (i.e. .login after .cshrc).
- .cshrc
- The .cshrc is executed whenever a new csh/tcsh is started whether it be a new login shell or not. It generally conatins things like paths, aliases and environment variable settings.
- .logout
- This is the reverse of the login scripts (i.e. it is run at logout time) and usually does things like: print reminders and delete temporary files.
- .profile
- This is Bourne shell's (sh) and Korn shell's (ksh) equivalent to a combined .cshrc and .login. Being equivalent to combined scripts obviously means it will perform equivalent tasks to both scripts, however they will only get executed at login.
- .exrc
- A command file used to setup a number of options for vi. (See the man page for vi for exactly what options can be set).
