.bash_profile
is a file that bash invokes (or more technically source
s) before the start of a new bash session. In .bash_profile
, we have the opportunity to add variables, functions, and aliases to customize our bash environment and provide reusable functionality.
In this lesson, we’ll look at adding a git_sync
alias as well as a ll
alias. Aliases act like shortcuts and save us time and typing at the terminal. .bash_profile
is a good spot for smaller functions and aliases.
Note that on most linux distributions you'll use .bashrc
instead of .bash_profile
.
Starting with Catalina, macOS now uses zsh as the default shell instead of bash. zsh and bash are very similar, but zsh looks for a .zshrc
and .zprofile
instead. See https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208050 for more info on the differences between the two.