Special Parameters

  • $1, $2, $3 are the positional parameters.
  • "$@" is an array-like construct of all positional parameters
    • ex. {$1, $2, $3 ...}
  • "$*" is the IFS expansion of all positional parameters
    • ex. $1 $2 $3
  • $# is the number of positional parameters.
  • $- current options set for the shell.
  • $$ pid of the current shell (not subshell).
  • $_ most recent parameter (or the abs path of the command to start the current shell immediately after startup).
  • $IFS is the (input) field separator.
  • $? is the most recent foreground pipeline exit status.
  • $! is the PID of the most recent background command.
  • $0 is the name of the shell or shell script.