What does “rc” mean in dot files

Question

In my home folder in Linux I have several config files that have \"rc\" as a file name extension:

$ ls -a ~/|pcregrep \'rc$\'
.bashrc
.octaverc
.perltidyrc
.         


        

Answer 1

In the context of Unix-like systems, the term rc stands for the phrase "run commands". It is used for any file that contains startup information for a command. It is believed to have originated somewhere in 1965 from a runcom facility from the MIT Compatible Time-Sharing System (CTSS).

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Run_commands