Search code examples
linuxbashdot-source

difference between #./ and #. ./

whats the difference between executing script like

# ./test

and

# . ./test

test is simple script for example

#!/bin/bash
export OWNER_NAME="ANGEL 12"
export ALIAS="angelique"

i know the results but im unsure what actually happens

Thanks

Solution

  • ./foo executed foo if it's marked as executable and has a proper shebang line (or is an ELF binary). It will be executed in a new process.

    . ./foo or . foo loads the script in the current shell. It is equal to source foo

    With your example code you need to use the second way if you want the exported variables to be available in your shell.