.. include:: ../header.txt

.. _startup:

BASH Shell Startup
===========================

.. index:: profile, bash_profile, bashrc, startup

* When you first login and a BASH shell process is started, it reads two
  configuration files to set shell attributes and environment variable.

    - ``/etc/profile`` is set by the system administrator.

    - ``~/.bash_profile`` is where the user can set customizations.
      This file usually focuses on environment variables.
      The ``.bash_profile`` script should normally source the 
      ``~/.bashrc`` file.

* Child shells to the login shell will inherit exported environment
  variables. These shells will source ``~/.bashrc``, but not
  ``~/.bash_profile``. Aliases and shell options are normally set in
  ``~/.bashrc``.