Like GNU/Linux, MacOS X treats files with names that start with a dot as hidden files. While "power users" will have no trouble accessing these files using Terminal.app or iTerm.app , it is sometimes handy to have them displayed in the Finder. A case in point: I recently wanted to restore a dot-file from a Time Machine backup, but the file was hidden in the Time Machine Finder window.
With some command-line-fu one can configure Finder to display dot-files:
$ defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE $ killall Finder
To revert, simply flip the TRUE to a FALSE:
$ defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE $ killall Finder
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