HowTo Run a Script In Linux

How do I run a Linux shell script? How can I run a script in Linux operating system using command line options?

By default shell script will not run. You need to set execute permission for your shell script. To execute or run script type the following command:

chmod 0755 script.sh

Next, use the ls command to view permission on the script:
$ ls -l script-name-here
To execute the script, type:
$ ./script-name-here

You can also run a script using any one of the following syntax:
$ /path/to/shell/script/backup.sh

Run a script called backup.ksh using ksh shell:
$ ksh backup.ksh

Run a script called backup.bash using BASH shell:
$ bash backup.bash

Example

Create a shell script called hello.sh using a text editor such as vi or gedit:

 
#!/bin/bash
echo "Hello $USER."
echo "Today is $(date)"
echo "Current working directory : $(pwd)"
 

Save and close the file. Set the permission:
$ chmod +x hello.sh
Run the script:
$ ./hello.sh

If the current directory is in the PATH variable, you can avoid typing the ./ before the hello.sh. It is a good idea to create your own bin directory as follows:
$ mkdir $HOME/bin
Add $HOME/bin to the PATH variable using bash shell export command:
$ export PATH=$PATH:$HOME/bin
$ echo $PATH
Move hello.sh in $HOME/bin using the mv command, run:
$ mv hello.sh $HOME/bin
Execute the script:
$ hello.sh
Sample outputs:

Hello vivek.
Today is Thu Nov 10 17:49:15 IST 2011
Current working directory : /nafiler05/users/v/vivek/bin/demos

See also:

• Hello, World! Tutorial from the Linux shell scripting wiki.

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