PROFILE(5,F)                AIX Technical Reference                PROFILE(5,F)



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profile



PURPOSE

Sets the sh user environment at login time.

DESCRIPTION

The profile file contains commands to be executed at login and variable
assignments to be set and exported into the environment.  The /etc/profile file
contains commands executed by all users at login.

After the login program adds the LOGNAME (login name) and HOME (login
directory) parameters to the environment, the /bin/sh program is executed (if
so indicated in the /etc/passwd file).  The sh command executes the commands in
/etc/profile and then, if present, the commands in $HOME/.profile are executed.
The .profile file is the individual user profile that overrides the variables
set in the profile file and is used to tailor the user environment variables
set in /etc/profile.  The .profile file is often used to set exported
environment variables and terminal modes.  The person who customizes the system
can use adduser to set default .profile files in each user home directory.
Users can tailor their environment as desired by modifying their .profile file.

EXAMPLE

The following example is typical of a /etc/profile file:

      # Set file creation mask
      unmask 022
      # Tell me when new mail arrives
      MAIL=/usr/mail/$LOGNAME
      # Add my /bin directory to the shell search sequence
      $HOME/bin:$PATH
      # Set terminal type
      TERM=hft
      # Make some environment variables global
      export MAIL PATH TERM

FILES

$HOME/.profile
/etc/profile

RELATED INFORMATION

In this book:  "passwd," "environment," and  "TERM."

The env, login, mail, sh, stty, and su commands in AIX Operating System
Commands Reference.



Processed November 7, 1990       PROFILE(5,F)                                 1