What is the difference between .Xresources and .Xdefaults?

is the older method of storing X resources. This file is re-read every time an Xlib program is started. If X11 is used over the network, the file must be present on the same filesystem as the programs. is newer. It is loaded with into the property of the X11 root window. Whenever any program looks up a resource, it is read from RESOURCE_MANAGER without touching any files. If the RESOURCE_MANAGER property does not exist, Xlib falls back to the old method of reading ~/.Xdefaults on every program …