.bashrc¶

.bashrc vs .bashenv¶

Both .bashrc and .bashenv are configuration files used with the Bash shell, but they have distinct purposes in terms of when they are read.

.bashrc - Interactive Non-Login Shells¶

• Executed whenever you start a new interactive shell that is not a login shell.

• Interactive shells are those you typically use when working on your terminal.

• Login shells occur when you first log in to a system through SSH or the physical console.

• Commonly used for:

  • Aliases: Shortcuts for frequently used commands
  • Functions: Reusable blocks of commands
  • PS1 customization: Defining how your bash prompt looks
  • History settings: Controlling how Bash remembers past commands

.bashenv (Less Common)¶

• Not as widely used as .bashrc.

• Executed whenever an interactive shell is started, regardless of login or non-login status.

• Typically used for:

  • Environment variables: Settings that affect how programs behave (e.g., PATH for finding executables)