What does a ~ mean after a file name in UNIX (bash)?

Question

When I create a file using vim and save it, for eg. main.c, two copies are created: main.c and main.c~. They have the same contents. Why is this happening and what does the ~ mean?

Solution 1

This is just a convention to indicate a backup file.

Solution 2

it is used to indicate the backup file. even in Microsoft office products when you open any file, same file is created with same name beginning with ~ but it is hidden.

Comments

[Felix]

This might help: stackoverflow.com/a/4234221/218196.

[Admin]

What should I do about it? I don't want a separate backup file to be present when I commit stuff using git.

[Admin]

Create a .gitignore file and add *~ to it.

[Admin]

You can also turn this off in vim - see the backup and writebackup options