bash -x ... try it!

flipjarg · 03-13-2012, 11:33 PM

Open your terminal and enter

Code:

bash -x

Does anyone know what this is?

jhwilliams · 03-13-2012, 11:37 PM

Yes, it is the x option to set, most useful for script debugging.

From the Bash man page:

Code:

              -x      After expanding each simple command, for  command,  case
                      command, select command, or arithmetic for command, dis‐
                      play the expanded value of PS4, followed by the  command
                      and its expanded arguments or associated word list.

trickykid · 03-14-2012, 09:28 AM

I like bash -e in my scripts, so if there's an error, it quits instead of trying to keep chugging along.

man bash

rodrifra · 03-15-2012, 10:39 AM

bash -x is opening a bash shell AND showing the debug output.
So after that command you will have spawn another shell, and have on your screen the debuging lines of the act of spawning that shell.