There are a number of ways that . (the "dot" command) is used in UNIX:
The following commands, which re-execute your
.profile script without logging in again,
provides a good example of all three uses of .:
cd ~
. ./.profile
The first . is the
"source" command
in the Korn shell.
The . in ./ references the current directory.
The . in .profile indicates the file is a hidden file.
Last updated Thursday January 18, 2007
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UNIX Commands and Command Shells
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