Using #! /bin/sh in Shell scripts

#1 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006

Hi All,

What does #! /bin/sh mean in a shell script? Is it mandatory to include in a shell script? I'm able to execute the shell script without it.

Any help on this would be appreciated.

sysgate · #2 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006

it actually tells the script to which interpreter to refer. As you know, bash shell has some specific functions that other shell does not have and vice-versa. Same way is for perl, python and other languages.

#3 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006

Thanks for the info. I still have doubts. If this information is not provided, how the path of the interpreter is assumed?

vino · #4 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006

Do people ever read the FAQ's or even use the search feature ?

See What does "#! /usr/bin/ksh" mean?

grial · #5 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006

Right. You should do what vino says before asking. Anyway, If you don't specify that information, the user's default shell will be used.

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