It is advised to install SWI-Prolog as `pl' in the local binary
directory. SWI-Prolog can then be started from the Unix shell by typing
`pl'. The system will boot from the system's default boot
file, perform the necessary initialisations and then enter the
interactive top level.
After the necessary system initialisation the system consults (see
consult/1)
the user's initialisation file. This initialisation file should be named
`.plrc' and reside either in the current directory or in
the user's home directory. If both exist the initialisation file from
the current directory is loaded. The name of the initialisation file can
be changed with the `-f file' option. After
loading the initialisation file SWI-Prolog executes a user
initialisation goal. The default goal is a system predicate that prints
the banner message. The default can be modified with the `-g goal'
option. Next the toplevel goal is started. Default is the interactive
Prolog loop (see prolog/0).
The user can overwrite this default with the `-t toplevel'
option.