The command built-in executes or identifies a command.
Syntax
-
command [-befp] command [argument…] -
command -v|-V [-abefkp] command…
Description
Without the -v (--identify) or -V (--verbose-identify) option, the
built-in executes command with arguments in the same manner as the
last step of execution of simple commands.
The command is treated as a built-in or external command or a function
according to the options specified to the command built-in.
The shell does not exit on argument syntax error etc. even if the command is a
special built-in
With the -v (--identify) option, command is identified.
If the command is found in $PATH, its full
pathname is printed.
If it is a keyword, function, or built-in that is not found in $PATH,
the command name is simply printed.
If it is an alias, it is printed in the form like
alias ll='ls -l'.
If the command is not found, nothing is printed and the exit status is
non-zero.
The -V (--verbose-identify) option is similar to the -v (--identify)
option, but the output format is more human-friendly.
Options
-
-a -
--alias -
Search for the command as an alias. Must be used with the
-v(--identify) or-V(--verbose-identify) option. -
-b -
--builtin-command -
Search for the command as a built-in.
-
-e -
--external-command -
Search for the command as an external command.
-
-f -
--function -
Search for the command as a function.
-
-k -
--keyword -
Search for the command as a keyword. Must be used with the
-v(--identify) or-V(--verbose-identify) option. -
-p -
--standard-path -
Search the system’s default
PATHinstead of the current$PATH. -
-v -
--identify -
Identify commands and print in the format defined in the POSIX standard.
-
-V -
--verbose-identify -
Identify commands and print in a human-friendly format.
If none of the -a (--alias), -b (--builtin-command), -e
(--external-command), -f (--function), and -k (--keyword) options
is specified, the following defaults are assumed:
-
Without the
-v(--identify) or-V(--verbose-identify) option -
-b -e -
With the
-v(--identify) or-V(--verbose-identify) option -
-a -b -e -f -k
Operands
- command
-
A command to be executed or identified.
- argument…
-
Arguments passed to the executed command.
Exit status
The exit status of the command built-in is:
-
Without the
-v(--identify) or-V(--verbose-identify) option -
the exit status of the executed command.
-
With the
-v(--identify) or-V(--verbose-identify) option -
zero unless there is any error.
Notes
The command built-in is a mandatory built-in.
In the POSIXly-correct mode, options other than -p, -v,
and -V cannot be used and at most one command can be specified.
The POSIX standard does not allow specifying both -v and -V together, but
yash does (only the last specified one is effective).