CODEWITHSUNDEEP
linuxterminalcommand-line-interfacenewline
kmiklas
kmiklas

Reputation: 13433

Linux terminal: how to add a newline without a carriage return?

In a Linux terminal, how can a newline (line feed?) be added without issuing a carriage return/issuing the command?

For example, in my case, I'd like to add several lines to a git commit comment, like so:

$ git commit -m "1. Removed comment blocks
  2. updated .gitignore
  3. added goto statement to hander
  --Miklas"

How do I add these line feeds for a multiple-line comment without actually entering the command?

I've googled around and tried a number of things (shift+return, alt+return, ctrl+return.. etc), but no luck. Tyvm Keith :^)

Upvotes: 1

Views: 869

Answers (1)

KamilCuk
KamilCuk

Reputation: 140880

Shells generally come with a support of multiline continuation of commands. If shell "detects" that the previous command is not "complete" and you typed enter, it will print PS2 and let you continue inputting a command. Default PS2="> ".

# I type:
# git commit -m "message<enter><enter>description"<enter>
$ git commit -m "message
> 
> description"
no changes added to commit

It works also for with shell operators, like for, while, if, case:

$ for i in 1 2 3
> do
> echo $i
> done
1
2
3

I found a youtube video that shows the behavior.

You may also use C-ish quoting in bash:

git commit -m $'message\n\ndescription\n'

I sometimes use process subtitution with printf:

git commit -m "$(printf "%s\n" "message" "" "description")"

And finally you may type just:

git commit

that should open a full file editor, by default vim. In that editor type the multiline message you want, save and quit the editor and the file content will be taken as the commit message.

Upvotes: 2

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