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

Unlike other shells, this echo accepts -- to signal the end of the options.

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'
Hello World

> echo -e 'Top\nBottom'
Top
Bottom

> echo -- -n
-n

See Also

  • the printf command, for more control over output formatting

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Licensed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.
https://fishshell.com/docs/3.2/cmds/echo.html