echo

write arguments to standard output (POSIX)

Syntax:

echo [string...]

Options:

string: A string to be written to standard output.

Examples:

Echo the string "Hello, Mother\nHello, Father" to the standard output:

    echo 'Hello, Mother\nHello, Father'

Note that echo will append a final trailing newline to its output, e.g.:

    $ echo 'Hello, Mother\nHello, Father'
    Hello, Mother
    Hello, Father
    $

Description:

The echo command is present both as a shell built-in and as a stand-alone executable which can operate without the availability of the system shell. Both versions behave in a similar manner.

The echo utility writes its arguments, followed by a newline character, to standard output. If there are no arguments, only the newline character is written.

The echo utility supports the following escape sequences within string:

Sequence	Meaning
`\a`	Write an `alert` character (the bell).
`\b`	Write a `backspace` character.
`\c`	Suppress the `newline` character that otherwise follows the final argument in the output. All characters following the `\c` in the arguments are ignored.
`\f`	Write a `form-feed` character.
`\n`	Write a `newline` character.
`\r`	Write a `carriage-return` character.
`\t`	Write a `tab` character.
`\v`	Write a `vertical tab` character.
`\\`	Write a `backslash` character.
`\0`num	Write an 8-bit value that is the 1-, 2-, or 3-digit octal number num.

Exit status:

0: Successful completion.
>0: An error occurred.

Files:

The echo command writes a modified version of its command-line parameters to its own standard output. Standard input and standard error are not used.