[SOLVED] what does sperated two dots mean: ". ./script"

lesca · 09-24-2010, 08:07 PM

Hi all

I know the second dot refer to current direcotry, but what does the first dot mean?

I tried to lost the first dot on purpose when running a sh file, but it failed.

However, it seems unnecessary to have the first dot when running bin file. Why?

Can anyone explain this for me?

Thx!!

david1941 · 09-24-2010, 08:25 PM

The dot is a "source" command. It means in this case, run the commands in ./script as if they were included here as commands.

lesca · 09-25-2010, 09:54 PM

Thanks David

I have done some other tests and I think I get it.

Summary:
Dot is a command in bash, it receives text file including shell commands.

Am I right?

David the H. · 09-25-2010, 10:03 PM

A single dot is a synonym for "source". The following two commands are equivalent.

Code:

source file
. file

Source, of course, imports the contents of another file into your script at that location. That file effectively becomes part of your script. It's the first entry in the SHELL BUILTIN COMMANDS section of the bash man page.

lesca · 09-26-2010, 06:14 PM

Thank you all
I know it further.