'~/.bashrc' vs ' /etc/skel/.bashrc'. Why are there two '.bashrcs'?

Question

Why are there two .bashrcs, ~/.bashrc and /etc/skel/.bashrc? When I compare them, I find no difference.

Answer 1

Every file in /etc/skel gets copied to a (new) users $HOME directory when your create a new user. If they are the same you either have not made any changes to your file (most likely) or you copied your custom file to /etc/skel.

See:

How do I set up new users with skel

http://www.linfo.org/etc_skel.html

http://www.linuxhowtos.org/Tips%20and%20Tricks/using_skel.htm

Answer 2

/etc/skel/.bashrc is a default .bashrc for every user created in the system.

~/.bashrc is individual for each user.