Read and execute commands from the filename argument in the current shell context.
SYNTAX
. filename [arguments]
source filename [arguments]
A period `.' is a synonym for `source'
There is a subtle difference between executing a script by running .ss64script (dot ss64script) and . ss64script (dot space ss64script)
the first is running a file thats been hidden from the 'ls' command, (although ls -a will show hidden files) the second option will execute ss64script even if it has not been set as an executable with chmod.
When a script is run using `source' it runs within the existing shell, any variables created or modified by the script will remain available after the script completes.
If a script is run just as ss64script, then a separate subshell (with a separate set of variables) will be spawned to run the script.
If filename does not contain a slash, the PATH variable
is used to find filename. The current directory is searched if filename is not found in $PATH.
If any arguments are supplied, they become the positional parameters
when filename is executed. Otherwise the positional parameters are
unchanged.
The return status is the exit status of the last command executed, or zero if
no commands are executed. If filename is not found, or cannot be
read, the return status is non-zero.
source is a bourne shell builtin and a POSIX `special' builtin
Related bash commands:
command - Run a command - ignoring shell functions
builtin - Run a shell builtin
crontab - Schedule a command to run at a later time
chroot - Run a command with a different root directory
exec - Execute a command
if - Conditionally perform a command
nohup - Run a command immune to hangups
su - Run a command with substitute user and group id
type - Describe a command
watch - Execute/display a program periodically
Equivalent Windows command:
Batch filenames must end with .CMD or .BAT
