> Can anyone clarify for me when the ~/.bash_rc and /etc/bash.bashrc > scripts get sourced? I read from the man and googling that it is > only when an "interactive login" shell is created, but what does > that mean? If I create a new xterm do these scripts get sourced > or is it only if I do an rlogin, ssh, login ,etc? All of your questions are answered in the man page, under INVOCATION.