Bash 5 reference · Shell Builtins and Syntax

source (Bash builtin)

Run a file's commands in the current shell, so its variables and functions stay defined; . is the POSIX spelling.

Bash 5

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Syntax

source FILE [ARGS]   . FILE

Parameter	Description
`FILE`	Path to a script, often a config or library file.

Load settings

printf 'APP=shop\nport=8080\n' > app.env
source ./app.env
echo "$APP on $port"

Output

shop on 8080

Run this on your computer — see “Get Started” for setup.

Load functions from a library

echo 'greet() { echo "hi $1"; }' > lib.sh
. ./lib.sh
greet Ana

Output

hi Ana

Run this on your computer — see “Get Started” for setup.

Only source files you trust: they run with your permissions. For untrusted configuration, parse it instead.

export · Mark variables so child processes inherit them; one-off variables can also be set for a single command.
Bash Environment Variables and PATH · tutorial

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