The primary system-wide initialization
file is the profile file which is kept in the /etc
directory. The /etc/profile file is created by default when the
operating system is installed and can be edited and customized by a
system administrator. When a Bourne or Korn shell user logs in, the
system reads the /etc/profile file first, and then it reads the
user's .profile file and, for Korn shell users, the .kshrc
file. This means that the user's preferences for variable settings can
override the default settings set and maintained by a system
administrator in the /etc/profile file. The /etc/profile
file performs the functions listed in the Figure.
- Exports Environment Variables
- Makes environment variables available to subshells such as
LOGNAME for login name.
- Exports PATH for Default Command
Path - The default path is a list of directories where the
shell will look when a command is executed. Exporting it makes the
list of directories available to all shells and subshells.
- Sets TERM Variable Default
Terminal Type - This defines the screen and keyboard
characteristics of your workstation.
- Displays Contents of /etc/motd
File -The 'message of the day' file can be customized to
display greetings or provide system information.
- Sets Default File Creation
Permissions - Sets umask values which determines the default
permissions when a new file or directory is created.
- Checks for Mail - Checks mail
and will print a mail message upon login.
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