Bash Convert Number to String

Bash Convert Number to String

In Bash scripting, converting a number to a string is useful for various tasks that require manipulating numeric values as strings.

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Syntax

string="$number"

The basic syntax involves using double quotes to convert a number to a string.

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Example Bash Convert Number to String

Let's look at some examples of how to convert a number to a string in Bash:

1. Convert a Simple Number to a String

This script converts the number stored in the variable num to a string and prints the result.

#!/bin/bash

num=123
string="$num"
echo "The string is: '$string'"

In this script, the variable num is assigned the value 123. The number is converted to a string by assigning it to the variable string within double quotes. The script then prints the string.

2. Convert a User Input Number to a String

This script prompts the user to enter a number, converts the entered number to a string, and prints the result.

#!/bin/bash

read -p "Enter a number: " num
string="$num"
echo "The string is: '$string'"

In this script, the user is prompted to enter a number, which is stored in the variable num. The number is converted to a string by assigning it to the variable string within double quotes. The script then prints the string.

3. Convert a Number from Command Output to a String

This script converts the output of a command stored in the variable output to a string and prints the result.

#!/bin/bash

output=$(echo 456)
string="$output"
echo "The string is: '$string'"

In this script, the variable output is assigned the result of a command that echoes 456. The number is converted to a string by assigning it to the variable string within double quotes. The script then prints the string.

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Conclusion

Converting a number to a string in Bash is a fundamental task for manipulating numeric values as strings in shell scripting. Understanding how to convert numbers to strings can help you manage and process data effectively in your scripts.