In Ubuntu, the .bash_profile file is a shell script that Bash runs whenever you launch a new shell. However, in Ubuntu 14.04 and later versions, you might not find the .bash_profile file in the home directory by default. So, where is it? Let’s explore this topic in detail.
The .bash_profile file is not present in Ubuntu by default. Instead, Ubuntu uses a similar file called .profile. You can check if the .profile file exists in your home directory by using the ls -a command in the terminal. If it is not present, you can create it by copying it from the /etc/skel directory. Alternatively, you can create a symbolic link to the .profile file with the name .bash_profile.
Understanding .bash_profile
The .bash_profile file is a startup script which generally runs once upon the launch of the Terminal. This file is used to set up environmental settings and variables. It is typically located in the user’s home directory. However, in Ubuntu, the .bash_profile file is not created by default. Instead, Ubuntu uses a similar file called .profile.
The .profile File in Ubuntu
The .profile file in Ubuntu serves a similar purpose to the .bash_profile file. It is a shell script that is run at the start of a new shell and is used to configure the shell environment.
You can check if the .profile file exists in your home directory by using the ls -a command in the terminal. This command lists all files in the directory, including hidden files (those starting with a .).
ls -aIf the .profile file is present, it will be listed in the output. If it is not present, you can create it by copying it from the /etc/skel directory.
Creating the .profile File
To create the .profile file, you can use the cp command to copy it from the /etc/skel directory. The cp command is used for copying files and directories. The /etc/skel directory contains files and directories that are automatically copied over to a new user’s home directory when such user is created.
Here is the command to copy the .profile file:
cp /etc/skel/.profile ~/.profileIn this command, cp is the copy command, /etc/skel/.profile is the source file, and ~/.profile is the destination file. The ~ symbol is a shortcut for the current user’s home directory.
Creating a Symlink to .profile
Alternatively, if you prefer to use the .bash_profile name, you can create a symbolic link (or symlink) to the .profile file. A symlink is a type of file that points to another file or directory.
Here is the command to create a symlink:
ln -s ~/.profile ~/.bash_profileIn this command, ln -s is the command to create a symbolic link, ~/.profile is the source file, and ~/.bash_profile is the destination file.
By creating a symlink, when you open a new bash shell as a login shell, the .bash_profile file (which is actually the .profile file) will be sourced.
Important Note
It’s important to note that the default behavior of Ubuntu’s display manager, gdm3, is to source the .profile file when logging in via the GUI. So, if you are using a GUI to log in, it’s recommended to keep the file named .profile to ensure that the correct variables and settings are loaded.
Conclusion
In summary, while the .bash_profile file may not be present in Ubuntu 14.04 by default, you can use the .profile file instead, create it if it doesn’t exist, or create a symlink to it. The default behavior of Ubuntu’s display manager is to source the .profile file, so it’s important to keep it named as such if you are using a GUI to log in.
For more information on this topic, you can visit Stefaan Lippens’ page.
In Ubuntu, the .bash_profile file is not created by default. Instead, Ubuntu uses a similar file called .profile. You can find the .profile file in your home directory.
To check if the .profile file exists in your home directory, you can use the ls -a command in the terminal. This command lists all files in the directory, including hidden files (those starting with a .). If the .profile file is present, it will be listed in the output.
If the .profile file is not present in your home directory, you can create it by copying it from the /etc/skel directory. Use the cp /etc/skel/.profile ~/.profile command to create the .profile file in your home directory.
Yes, you can use the .bash_profile name instead of .profile. To do this, you can create a symbolic link (symlink) to the .profile file using the ln -s ~/.profile ~/.bash_profile command. This way, when you open a new bash shell as a login shell, the .bash_profile file (which is actually the .profile file) will be sourced.
Yes, if you are using a GUI to log in, it is recommended to keep the file named .profile. The default behavior of Ubuntu’s display manager, gdm3, is to source the .profile file when logging in via the GUI. This ensures that the correct variables and settings are loaded.
