.. _cmd-echo:

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 :ref:`printf <cmd-printf>` command, for more control over output formatting