Well, yeah, if you source the file (for which `.` is a shortcut) it runs in the current shell so the environment is intact. If you just run it it won't work.

Well, yeah, if you source the file (for which `.` is a shortcut) it runs in the current shell so the environment is intact. If you just run it it won't work. So instead of running `boop` you would always have to `source boop` or `. boop`. A function or alias you could just run like normal. (and `export ?` complains about ? being an invalid identifier in bash, in zsh `export "?"` apparently "works", but will reset it before you get a chance to print it in another process)