fortune (Unix)

The fortune program is a classic Unix utility that displays a pseudo-random message from a database of quotations, sayings, and other short, often humorous, texts. It serves no specific functional purpose beyond entertainment and providing brief moments of distraction.

The databases from which fortune draws its messages are typically plain text files, often categorized into different "fortunes" or themes. Users can configure fortune to select from specific categories or to use all available categories. The content within these databases varies widely, ranging from philosophical musings and literary quotes to jokes, sarcastic remarks, and computer-related humor.

fortune is often invoked in login scripts or terminal startup files to display a message upon opening a new terminal session. This provides a small, personalized welcome and a bit of amusement to the user. The command is highly customizable through command-line options that control which fortune files are used, the length of fortunes displayed, and other aspects of its behavior.

The utility remains a popular and recognizable feature of Unix-like operating systems, embodying a certain playful and quirky aspect of Unix culture. Despite its simplicity, it is a testament to the power of plain text and the enduring appeal of curated collections of witty and insightful sayings.