mrguy123:

No, you don't want to update two files. Instead, you can source one from the other. For example, you can put all your aliases and personal stuff in your .bashrc. The application configuration stuff, you could put in .app_config. Then, in your .bashrc, you can source .app_config.

However, if your application needs a large number of env variables, it might be better to make a configuration file for your application rather than relying on environment variables.

Another possibility is to just use a separate account for your cron jobs. Then you can set it up any way you like, and when you modify your personal account, it won't mess up anything in the account you use for cron jobs.

...roboticus

When your only tool is a hammer, all problems look like your thumb.