Hidden files in Linux typically start with which character?

In Linux, hidden files are distinguished by their naming convention, specifically by starting with a dot (.). This character indicates to the operating system that the file or directory should not be displayed in the regular file listing when using commands like ls without additional options. For instance, files such as .bashrc or .gitignore are hidden from the standard view, making it easier for users to manage their workspace without clutter from configuration or system files.

Using the dot to identify hidden files helps maintain a cleaner user interface in the command line, allowing users to focus on more relevant files. To view hidden files, one would typically use the command ls -a, which instructs the system to include all files in the output, including those that are hidden.

The other characters mentioned do not have the same purpose in Linux file naming. For example, the tilde (~) is commonly used to represent a user’s home directory, the hash symbol (#) is often used to denote comments in configuration files, and the at symbol (@) has its specific uses in command-line operations, such as when referencing users or as part of email addresses. Therefore, only the dot serves the purpose of indicating hidden files in Linux.