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XK0-006 Practice Question: Create a shell script that will be executed by a…
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?
⚠ Common exam trap
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.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
~/.bashrc
~/.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.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
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.
- ✗
/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.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
File Permissions and Ownership
Key term
Bash
Bash is a command-line interpreter that lets users interact with an operating system by typing text commands instead of clicking icons.
Key term
User
A user is any person, system, or device that interacts with an IT service, resource, or identity system, typically authenticated through credentials and authorized to perform specific actions.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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