I'm new to Linux and have been seeing this often. Could someone explain the concept here?
~/.somefilename
What does the ~ (tilde) signify?
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1tilde is the users' home directory– ddyerSep 12, 2012 at 23:09
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3In any case, this is covered in the appropriate shell reference, such as the Bash Reference Manual.– pstSep 12, 2012 at 23:10
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Looks like google does not support it support.google.com/websearch/bin/…– Adrian CornishSep 12, 2012 at 23:12
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3 Answers
The ~ (tilde) is a quick way of specifying your home directory.
The ~/.somefilename means your home directory, the file .somefilename.
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3I should also mention that the . infront of a file name normally signifies it is a hidden file. It will not show up by default in an ls of a directory unless you specify -a as an option to the ls command.– LipongoSep 12, 2012 at 23:14
The tilde ~ character is interpreted by most shells as the "home directory" for you. The "." doesn't mean anything if it's part of a filename, although some programs such as ls will (unless explicitely told otherwise) not show files if their name starts with a "dot". Sort of a "hidden" attribute.
Tilde originally shared the same space on the HOME key of certain keyboards and by association still means home directory.
