dotfile
also: hidden files, configuration files
A hidden configuration file in Linux whose filename begins with a dot (.), making it invisible to standard directory listings. Dotfiles store user preferences and settings for applications and shells.
Dotfiles are configuration files prefixed with a period (.) that control how applications and the shell behave. By convention, the leading dot marks them as hidden—ls won't display them unless you use the -a flag, keeping directories cleaner by hiding clutter.
Common examples include ~/.bashrc (bash shell configuration), ~/.gitconfig (Git settings), and ~/.vimrc (Vim editor settings). Each user has their own dotfiles in their home directory, allowing personalized configurations without affecting system-wide defaults.
Many developers track their dotfiles in version control (like a GitHub repo) to maintain consistent settings across multiple machines. This practice is called "dotfile management" and often involves symlinking dotfiles from a central repository to their standard locations.