Lesson 13: echo Command
In this lesson, you'll learn how to use the echo command to display text and strings on standard output in Linux.
The echo command is one of the most commonly and widely used built-in commands for Linux bash and C shells, typically used in a scripting language and batch files to display a line of text/string on standard output or a file.
echo Command Syntax
echo [option(s)] [string(s)]
echo Command Options
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
-n |
Do not print the trailing newline |
-e |
Enable interpretation of backslash escapes |
\b |
Backspace |
\\ |
Backslash |
\n |
New line |
\r |
Carriage return |
\t |
Horizontal tab |
\v |
Vertical tab |
1. Display a Line of Text on Standard Output
Input a line of text and display it on standard output.
$ echo Tecmint is a community of Linux Nerds
Tecmint is a community of Linux Nerds
2. Declare a Variable and Echo Its Value
Declare a variable and echo its value. For example, declare a variable x and assign its value 10.
$ x=10
Echo its value:
$ echo The value of variable x = $x
The value of variable x = 10
Note: The -e option in Linux acts as an interpretation of escaped characters that are backslashed.
3. Use Backspace Option with echo
Using option \b - backspace with backslash interpreter -e which removes all the spaces in between.
$ echo -e "Tecmint \bis \ba \bcommunity \bof \bLinux \bNerds"
TecmintisacommunityofLinuxNerds