How do I get the script name being executed in bash?

Question

So I am trying to make a portable bashrc/bash_profile file. I have a single script that I am symbolically linking to .bashrc, .bash_profile, etc. I am then looking at $0 and switching what I do based on which script was called. The problem is what the shell calls the bashrc script of course it executes bash really which means $0 for me is -bash. $1 further more is not set to the script name.

So my question is, in bash how can I get the name of the script being executed. Not the binary executing it, e.g. bash?

I assume its giving me -bash with $1 not being set because it is really not a new process. Any ideas?

stackoverflow.com/questions/192319/…

gavenkoa
– gavenkoa

2022-12-29 18:01:50 +00:00
Commented Dec 29, 2022 at 18:01 — gavenkoa
– gavenkoa, Commented Dec 29, 2022 at 18:01

Hui Zheng · Accepted Answer · 2013-02-12 15:22:49Z

32

Try:

readlink -f ${BASH_SOURCE[0]}

or just:

${BASH_SOURCE[0]}.

Remarks:

$0 only works when user executes "./script.sh"

$BASH_ARGV only works when user executes ". script.sh" or "source script.sh"

${BASH_SOURCE[0]} works on both cases.

readlink -f is useful when symbolic link is used.

edited Feb 12, 2013 at 15:22

answered Feb 12, 2013 at 14:52

Hui Zheng

10.2k2 gold badges37 silver badges40 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

mez.pahlan Over a year ago

This should be the accepted answer since it gives more detail and explains the different scenarios clearer.

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 12:02:14Z

2

The variable BASH_ARGV should work, it appears the script is being sourced

$BASH_ARGV

edited May 23, 2017 at 12:02

CommunityBot

11 silver badge

answered Feb 12, 2013 at 14:53

Zombo

1

1 Comment

hek2mgl Over a year ago

Means this is not generic. When parsing $ARGV you'll have to know about that you have been called by an other script. Maybe I'm wrong. If I'm wrong you should enhance explanation of your answer, e.g. add an example

Amit Kumar · Accepted Answer · 2021-08-02 05:08:09Z

0

create .sh file lets say view.sh then put

#!/bin/bash
echo "The script is being executed..."
readlink -f ${BASH_SOURCE[0]}

answered Aug 2, 2021 at 5:08

Amit Kumar

6697 silver badges10 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How do I get the script name being executed in bash?

3 Answers 3

1 Comment

1 Comment

Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

1 Comment

1 Comment

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related