ECHO(1) | General Commands Manual | ECHO(1)

# NAME

`echo` — write arguments to the standard output

# SYNOPSIS

`echo` | [`-n`] [string ...]

# DESCRIPTION

The `echo` utility writes any specified operands, separated by single blank (‘ ’) characters and followed by a newline (‘\n’) character, to the standard output.

When no operands are given, only the newline is written. The `--` operand, which generally denotes an end to option processing, is treated as part of string.

The options are as follows:

`-n`
  Do not print the trailing newline character.

# EXIT STATUS

The `echo` utility exits 0 on success, and >0 if an error occurs.

# SEE ALSO

csh(1), ksh(1), printf(1)

# STANDARDS

The `echo` utility is compliant with the IEEE Std 1003.1-2008 (“POSIX.1”) specification.

The flag [`-n`] conflicts with the behaviour mandated by the X/Open System Interfaces option of the IEEE Std 1003.1-2008 (“POSIX.1”) specification, which says it should be treated as part of string. Additionally, `echo` does not support any of the backslash character sequences mandated by XSI.

`echo` also exists as a built-in to csh(1) and ksh(1), though with a different syntax.

Where portability is paramount, use printf(1).

# HISTORY

An `echo` utility appeared in Version 2 AT&T UNIX.

March 16, 2018 | Debian