AppleShowAllFiles does not show hidden files

Solution 1:

The bundle identifier is com.apple.finder in lowercase.

defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles YES would also write the setting as a string, but it doesn't usually matter though.

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool true
osascript -e 'quit app "Finder"'

Solution 2:

Please use defaults read com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles to read current status.

Note that it's different to use command with root user (e.g. sudo) or standard user and use com.apple.finder with Finder in lowercase.

For Hide hidden files use defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles 0 from current user terminal window not using sudo or sudo su command.

For Show hidden files use defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles 1

Then relaunch Finder using killall Finder

Tested on OS X 10.8.4.