Explain: eval `dircolors /path/to/dircolorsdb`

Question

Would someone be able to explain to me what this line does.

I understand that eval creates a command by concatenating arguments. I also understand that the the text will execute because they are inside of backticks.

I am trying to get the solarized colors in my Ubuntu 13.10 gnome-terminal. I know how to do it but I really want to understand what is going on.

I am getting the colors from this git repository

Answer 1

It is simple. dircolors set colour for ls. In the above mentioned link there are few predefined colour scheme for ls.

when you run the following command in terminal

eval `dircolors /path/to/dircolorsdb`

The stored database is loaded and ls output colors changes accordingly. If you close the existing terminal it will not be available anymore. To make the change permanent.

• Create a file ~/.dir_colors
• Copy the color database file (that you want to apply) in it.
• Add the following command at the end of ~/.bashrc.

eval `dircolors ~/.dir_colors`

• Source ~/.bashrc using the command in terminal

source ~/.bashrc

It will activate the theme for all future shell sessions.

Note: There are some additional instructions for 256-color Solarized Themes. Go through the Readme before you go for it.