use of source command

prabhu_713 · 02-23-2006, 01:20 PM

hi everyone,

i'm new to linux. what is the use of "source command"? i know it executes a script file.

my script file has the following commands:
echo "hello world";
echo "$pwd";
if ran the script using source command or simply on the shell, i get the same answer. then how is "source" command different shell and what is the use of "source command"?

thanks,
prabhu.

gilead · 02-23-2006, 01:27 PM

The source command does it's stuff in the current shell instead of a sub-shell - the commands behave as if you typed them in your current shell. If you made the file executable and then ran it, the commands would execute in a sub-shell.

When you're only displaying stuff it doesn't matter which way you do it, but when you're controlling variables and processes it does.

prabhu_713 · 02-24-2006, 04:07 AM

thanks steve

cramer · 02-28-2006, 08:34 PM

You might want to use the pwd command like so: echo "$(pwd)" instead of $pwd incase you use variables with that name.

ckoniecny · 02-28-2006, 08:42 PM

If you for example, make changes to /home/testuser/.bashrc and you want the changes to take effect immediately, simply run "source /home/testuser/.bashrc". That will update your current shell and you will see the effects of the changes.