Erik Hemdal wrote:
Also, I took a look at the two files but I can't interpret them - I'm
reading
man Bash now, but, any suggestions on what I should be looking for?
Here's
what they look like:
# .bash_profile
Name of this file, which is only run, or "sourced", at login, so once
per session.
# Get the aliases and functions
if [ -f ~/.bashrc ]; then
. ~/.bashrc
fi
The above command checks to see if the file /root/.bashrc exists in
the user's home directory, and runs the file if it exists. The
.bashrc file can be unique for each user, so that individual users can
customize their shells to their liking. Everytime you open a new
shell, this file is run, unlike .bash_profile.
# User specific environment and startup programs
PATH=$PATH:$HOME/bin
Change the $PATH variable so it includes everything it had before
(possibly set by what is in .bash_profile) and add the path /root/bin
to it (assuming you're trying to run as root). This would not work
unless $HOME has a good value.
export PATH
This makes the PATH visible to child shells that might be forked off
when you execute a command, etc.
unset USERNAME
This removes the value of the shell variable $USERNAME so it has no
value.
# .bashrc
# User specific aliases and functions
alias rm='rm -i'
This alias replaces the 'rm' command with 'rm -i', so that root will
always be prompted before removing any file. This is a safety
precaution.
alias cp='cp -i'
alias mv='mv -i'
Same deal for the copy and move commands. Since root can manipulate
files for which he does not have explicit permission, he can do a lot
of damage. These aliases try to give you a little protection in case
a typo causes you to work on files you don't intend.
# Source global definitions
if [ -f /etc/bashrc ]; then
. /etc/bashrc
fi
This looks for a copy of a .bashrc file in the /etc directory. The
system administrator can use this file to set up shell-by-shell
customizations that will take effect anytime a user starts a shell.
If this kind of shell code is used in every user's .bashrc, it can let
the administrator make everyone's shells work in a consistent,
customized way.
-- Claude Jones Bluemont, VA, USA
Hope this helps. Write back for more, or contact me off list. Erik
Hemdal
Thanks to Claude for asking the questions and to Erik for his
informative response.
