.profile is a Unix shell script which is executed for a user every time that user logs in.

A standard .profile will set important environment variables such as $PATH and may also run commands, such as `fortune`.

The .profile file will be stored in the users home directory.

.profile is used by the Bourne, Korn, and Bash shells. The C and TCSH shells use startup files called .login and .cshrc instead.

In addition to .profile, the Korn shell also uses a startup file called .kshrc.

Also, the /etc/profile shared startup file will by executed by all Bourne, Korn, and Bash shells.