CODEWITHSUNDEEP
bashshellshzsh
Sta99er
Sta99er

Reputation: 21

why does "echo -n" command not work in a .sh script?

For example, I'm writing a script in a .sh file, and I want to echo the phrase "string" without a trailing whitespace/new line, so I should probably use echo -n "string" like how I would achieve this function in bash or zsh. However, when I run the .sh in bash/zsh with sh command the .sh file would just print -n string, with a new line included. How do I print something without trailing new line whilst also using the echo command?

Upvotes: 2

Views: 3086

Answers (1)

chepner
chepner

Reputation: 531225

bash's implementation of the echo command differs wildly from the POSIX specification. When bash is run as sh, echo behaves more like POSIX intends, but your sh may also not be bash, but a shell like dash that adheres more strictly to the POSIX specification, which does not allow for any extensions. POSIX requires -n to be treated like any other argument, something to be output rather than modifying the behavior of echo.

Use printf instead, which has a tighter POSIX specification and is much more portable.

printf 'string'

Upvotes: 1

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