./ is just specifying the full path to a file, starting with the current directory, which is called '.'
If the executable you are trying to run is in your path then you don't have to specify the full path to it to run it. If you are trying to run something that is in the current directory and . is not in your path then you will have to specify the full path to what you are trying to run with a ./executable-name Bryan -----Original Message----- From: Tony Vance [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, June 30, 2003 3:49 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [newbies] ifconfig on Redhat and ./ I have a question. I'm running Redhat 9 on my laptop and Redhat 8 at work. Why is it that I have to run the command ifconfig as ./ifconfig? Other commands don't require a ./, so why does ifconfig? Also, on Mac OS X's Darwin I can just type ifconfig with no ./ In a second related question, why is it that I need to preface executables with a ./ for them to run? (e.g., MozillaFirebird, my .sh files). Thanks! You guys are great. Tony _______________________________________________ newbies mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://phantom.byu.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/newbies
