How to run a bash script as a command?

Question

I have a bash script that I would like to run globally as a command. For that I moved the script to /usr/local/bin/somefile.sh.

Now I still have to call a command called somefile.sh. I would like to have an alias for this command (for example I would just like to call the script with the command sf).

How do I do that?

I already used the aliases. Would it still execute, if it is no longer an .sh file? If it has not file ending? — User12547645
– User12547645, Commented Feb 25, 2019 at 15:43
Yes. In fact, it's generally recommended not to give scripts a .sh extension. — John Kugelman
– John Kugelman, Commented Feb 25, 2019 at 16:58

John Kugelman · Accepted Answer · 2019-02-25 16:57:07Z

2

And to complement answer from @Kent :

alias sf='/usr/local/bin/somefile.sh' using alias

ln -s somefile.sh /usr/local/bin/sf using soft link

mv /usr/local/bin/somefile.sh /usr/local/bin/sf using renaming

edited Feb 25, 2019 at 16:57

John Kugelman

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answered Feb 25, 2019 at 13:23

nullPointer

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1 Comment

User12547645 Over a year ago

Is there a way to make the definition of the alias permanent. I don`t want to retype it after every restart of my computer.

Kent · Accepted Answer · 2019-02-25 13:06:55Z

2

There are different ways:

as you mentioned, use alias, man alias for details
create a soft link named sf to your real script
rename your script

answered Feb 25, 2019 at 13:06

Kent

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2 Comments

User12547645 Over a year ago

Is there a way to make the definition of the alias permanent. I don`t want to retype it after every restart of my computer.

Shash Over a year ago

@User12547645 add the alias to .bashrc file.

Shash · Accepted Answer · 2019-02-25 13:37:40Z

2

Open your .bashrc file located in ~/.bashrc. .bashrc file is read whenever you login to the system. Add the below line to the end of the file.

alias sf='/usr/local/bin/somefile.sh'

then re login or run source .bashrc

answered Feb 25, 2019 at 13:37

Shash

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Comments

glenn jackman · Accepted Answer · 2019-02-25 17:02:06Z

1

If you're on a GNU system, you could use the "alternatives" system:

dir=/usr/local/bin
sudo update-alternatives --install $dir/sf somefile $dir/somefile.sh 10

This creates 2 symbolic links:

/usr/local/bin/sf -> /etc/alternatives/somefile
/etc/alternatives/somefile -> /usr/local/bin/somefile.sh

answered Feb 25, 2019 at 17:02

glenn jackman

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