echo - display a line of text¶

Synopsis¶

echo [OPTIONS] [STRING]

Description¶

echo displays a string of text.

The following options are available:

• -n, Do not output a newline
• -s, Do not separate arguments with spaces
• -E, Disable interpretation of backslash escapes (default)
• -e, Enable interpretation of backslash escapes

Escape Sequences¶

If -e is used, the following sequences are recognized:

• \ backslash
• \a alert (BEL)
• \b backspace
• \c produce no further output
• \e escape
• \f form feed
• \n new line
• \r carriage return
• \t horizontal tab
• \v vertical tab
• \0NNN byte with octal value NNN (1 to 3 digits)
• \xHH byte with hexadecimal value HH (1 to 2 digits)

Example¶

echo 'Hello World'

Print hello world to stdout

echo -e 'Top\\nBottom'

Print Top and Bottom on separate lines, using an escape sequence