How to open unix on mac how to#
How to open unix on mac software#

To view dotfiles in Finder, go to the root of your Home directory and hold down the keys Command Shift. In Finder, the root of your Home directory might look something like this:īut you've seen that computer systems have many more files stored which are hidden by default. config directory (folder) on your system. Many programs, instead of storing their configurations in your home directory, instead store them in the hidden.gitconfig file, which would contain all your information and settings. After setting up and configuring Git on your local machine, you would have a.If you use the command line code editor Vim, you would store its configurations in a.zshrc file which configures and customises the shell. If you use the Zsh shell, which is the new default for MacOS, you would have (or would've created) a.

bashrc file, both of which contain scripts that load each time you start a new terminal session and configure the shell.

If you use the Bash shell, you might have a.

Some common dotfiles that you may have heard of or used before are: Most programs store their configurations in your home directory by default. On Unix based systems, dotfiles are hidden by the Operating System by default. What sets them apart from regular files and directories is their prefix.ĭotfiles are named that way because each file and directory starts with a dot (.

How to open unix on mac software#

Many computer software programs store their configuration settings in plain, text-based files or directories.ĭotfiles are configuration files for various programs, and they help those programs manage their functionality.

How to open unix on mac how to#

In addition I'll give you some suggestions and resources on how to customise your settings and expand your knowledge. You'll learn what they are, how to locate them on your system, and how to create a couple of simple dotfiles. This article is an introduction on how to get started with dotfiles. But not only that - you'll be able to have that productive setup you created for youself on any machine. Dotfiles are important files that will play an integral role in your career as a software developer.įirst, they can help make you more productive.