The history built-in prints or edits command history.
Syntax
-
history [-cF] [-d entry] [-s command] [-r file] [-w file] [count]
Description
The history built-in prints or edits command history.
When executed with an option, the built-in edits history according to the option. If more than one option is specified, each option is processed in order.
When executed with the count operand, the built-in prints the most recent count history entries to the standard output in the same manner as the fc built-in.
When executed with neither options nor operands, the built-in prints the whole history.
Options
-
-c -
--clear -
Clear all history entries completely.
-
-d entry -
--delete=entry -
Delete the specified entry. The entry should be specified in the same manner as the start and end operands of the fc built-in.
-
-F -
--flush-file -
Rebuild the history file. This operation removes unused old data from the file.
-
-r file -
--read=file -
Read command lines from file and add them to the history. The file contents are treated as lines of simple text.
-
-s command -
--set=command -
Add command as a new history entry after removing the most recent entry.
-
-w file -
--write=file -
Write the whole history to file. Any existing data in the file will be lost. The output format is lines of simple text, each of which is a command string.
Operands
- count
-
The number of entries to be printed.
Exit status
The exit status of the history built-in is zero unless there is any error.
Notes
The history built-in is an elective built-in. It cannot be used in the POSIXly-correct mode because POSIX does not define its behavior.
Command history cannot be modified during line-editing.