<P> In computing, configuration files (or config files) are files used to configure the parameters and initial settings for some computer programs . They are used for user applications, server processes and operating system settings . </P> <P> Some applications provide tools to create, modify, and verify the syntax of their configuration files; these sometimes have graphical interfaces . For other programs, system administrators may be expected to create and modify files by hand using a text editor; possible because many are human - editable plain texts . For server processes and operating - system settings, there is often no standard tool, but operating systems may provide their own graphical interfaces such as YaST or debconf . </P>

How to read a config file in linux