Special files

Every user has two special files: .bash_profile and .bashrc, in her home directory. These files and other files whose names start with a `.' (dot) do not normally show up in the directory listing. See Section 3.3.10 for ways of listing the ``dot'' files. The ``dot'' files are used for initializing applications and for customizing your environment (see Section 4.1). For example, when you login, the .bash_profile file sets up your session and terminal characteristics.

Many applications have special files that have names starting with a `.', usually located in your home directory. These startup files contain initialization commands for the application. For example, the file .vimrc contains the initialization commands for the vim text editor. The suffix ``rc'' stands for run control.

As mentioned before, the current directory is ``.'' and the parent directory is ``..''. These two entries are in every directory listing that includes the ``dot'' files.