Ask HN: Linux/bash configuration in a regular file vs a dotfile?

1 pointcaycep4 comments

Why not put shell configuration (i.e. .bash_profile or .bash_rc) in a regular file instead of a dot file?

Because "dot files" are normally hidden when "ls" lists a directory. So unless you change things to always show them, by having them "hide" you don't have to look at them in your directory listings every time you list the directory contents.

I guess that is the original reason...but I seem to have to edit it quite often (or at least some environmental variable) so I thought perhaps it'd be useful to have it visible.

If you want them visible, then just do this in your shell:

alias ls="ls -a"

And now anytime you do an ls, you'll have visible dot files.

Of if you are using Linux and the GNU tools, setting the LS_OPTIONS environment variable to contain -a will also make them always visible.

https://github.com/gjvc/etc and/or google for "github dotfiles" -- many people keep their set up there.

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