What effect does "show dot files" have, exactly?

[xiaq]

Dot files are always visible in explorer ("wine files") and invisible
in open and save dialogs; this option, in winecfg -> drive, seems to
make no difference. Is it a bug or because I misunderstood it?
Thanks.

[DaVince]

"Dot" files are the hidden files and folders in Linux filesystems - basically any file or folder that starts with a dot, like ~/.gnome . However, I do not know if it actually works.

[vitamin]

Dot files are always visible in explorer ("wine files") and invisible in open and save dialogs

With that option disabled (default) dot files will have the hidden attribute set. That's all.