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I thought that whatever lies in .bash_profile(or .profile) which is sourced in a login-shell, is available in an interactive shell.

My goal is to have available a list of functions, either in a login shell or in an interactive shell.

I am using Ubuntu 14.04.1, and i don't use .profile, but instead .bash_profile.(.profile has been renamed)

So currently what i have done, i have inserted the functions in .bash_profile, but when opening an interactive terminal they are not available, only if i use bash -l.

shad0VV
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1 Answers1

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Functions defined in .bash_profile are only available in the shell that reads .bash_profile and not available in sub shells.

When you open a terminal window you may be opening a non login shell. Some terminal programs may let you open a login shell (eg gnome-terminal has it at edit -> profile preferences).

However if you shell out of another program (eg run :sh from vi) then you won't see these functions.

Normally, however, functions and things you want set on every shell should be placed in .bashrc.

Stephen Harris
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