Quick Answer
The answer is to source ~/.bashrc. This is correct because non-login shells, such as those spawned when a script is executed from a terminal or another script, do not read profile files like ~/.bash_profile or ~/.profile; instead, they read ~/.bashrc. By explicitly sourcing ~/.bashrc within the script, the administrator ensures that environment variables, aliases, and functions defined there are available to the script’s execution context. On the CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 exam, this concept tests your understanding of Bash startup files and the distinction between login and non-login shells—a common trap is assuming all shells read the same profile files. Remember: login shells read profile files, non-login shells read rc files. A handy memory tip is "login for profile, non-login for rc."
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of scripting, containers and automation. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An administrator needs to create a shell script that will be executed by a non-login shell. The script requires access to environment variables set in the user's profile. Which file should the script source to ensure these variables are available?
~/.bashrc
Correct. The .bashrc file is executed for non-login interactive shells and often contains environment variables.
/etc/profile
Why wrong: System-wide profile, sourced by login shells, but not automatically by non-login shells.
~/.profile
Why wrong: Similar to .bash_profile, used by login shells; not sourced by non-login shells.
~/.bash_profile
Why wrong: This file is typically sourced only by login shells, not non-login shells.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
~/.bashrc
Option A is correct because ~/.bashrc is the file sourced by non-login interactive shells in Bash. When a script is executed by a non-login shell, it does not read ~/.bash_profile or ~/.profile; instead, it reads ~/.bashrc. By sourcing ~/.bashrc within the script, the administrator ensures that environment variables defined there (e.g., PATH, custom aliases) are available to the script.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
~/.bashrc
Why this is correct
Correct. The .bashrc file is executed for non-login interactive shells and often contains environment variables.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
/etc/profile
Why it's wrong here
System-wide profile, sourced by login shells, but not automatically by non-login shells.
~/.profile
Why it's wrong here
Similar to .bash_profile, used by login shells; not sourced by non-login shells.
~/.bash_profile
Why it's wrong here
This file is typically sourced only by login shells, not non-login shells.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse ~/.bash_profile and ~/.bashrc, assuming that any user-specific profile file is sourced by all shells, but the key distinction is that non-login shells only source ~/.bashrc, not the login-specific profile files.
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
Similar to .bash_profile, used by login shells; not sourced by non-login shells.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, Bash determines whether a shell is login or non-login based on how it is invoked (e.g., via ssh vs. a terminal emulator). Non-login shells source ~/.bashrc, which typically sets interactive session preferences. A real-world scenario: a cron job or a script launched by a systemd service runs in a non-login environment; if it needs user-specific environment variables, the script must explicitly source ~/.bashrc (or the appropriate file) because those variables are not inherited from the user's login session.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
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FAQ
Scripting, Containers and Automation — This question tests Scripting, Containers and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: ~/.bashrc — Option A is correct because ~/.bashrc is the file sourced by non-login interactive shells in Bash. When a script is executed by a non-login shell, it does not read ~/.bash_profile or ~/.profile; instead, it reads ~/.bashrc. By sourcing ~/.bashrc within the script, the administrator ensures that environment variables defined there (e.g., PATH, custom aliases) are available to the script.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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