Echo displays strange output when '?' is used


 
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# 1  
Old 04-21-2020
Echo displays strange output when '?' is used

In bash or sh terminal I get this strange response when using echo.


It's really best just to give you the code:

Code:
user@localhost:~$ text="?"; echo $text
P T V
user@localhost:~$ text='?'; echo $text
P T V
user@localhost:~$ text='?'; printf "$text\n"
?

So, printf works nicely but is there a way to get printf to take the escape sequences of variables?


I think it might have happened after messing around with Gnome-Shell extensions but not sure.


Any idea why it's happening or how to get rid of it?
# 2  
Old 04-21-2020
I bet you have a P , a T , and a V file in your working directory, as ? is a "special pattern character" that "matches any single character" (cf man bash).
This User Gave Thanks to RudiC For This Post:
# 3  
Old 04-21-2020
Quote:
Originally Posted by RudiC
I bet you have a P , a T , and a V file in your working directory, as ? is a "special pattern character" that "matches any single character" (cf man bash).
I do, yes. I have all those directories.


At least I know where it's coming from now. Thanks.
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