University of Technology, Jamaica Operating Systems

School of Computing & Information Technology CIT3002

Bashing Scripting: Arrays and Functions

1 Arrays in bash
The bash shell has two types of arrays: one-dimensional indexed arrays and associative arrays. You can
use any variable to represent an index array, or you can explicitly declare variable to be an array using
the declare keyword. Note however whichever means an array is created there is no limit to the of the
size of the array, nor is there no need to assign value contiguously.

arrayname[index#]=value creates an array (if not existing) and automatically assign

value based on index number

declare -a arrayname explicit declaration of indexed arrays, empty until modified

declare -A arrayname explicit declaration of associative arrays

arrayname=(value1 value2 …) creates array using the given values, indexed sequentially

1.1 One-dimensional Array

Any element of an array may be referenced using ${arrayname[index#]}. However, if you want to print
all elements of the array replace the index no with * or @.

${arrayname[*]} expands to a single word

${arrayname[@]} expands each element of name to a separate word.
If you want to know the length of array use: ${#arrayname[*]} or ${#arrayname[@]}
You can also print index number only if ! symbol is used instead of #. Example:
${!arrayname[*]} or ${!arrayname[@]}

To print n elements starting at index s ${arrayname[*]:s:n}

To delete an element of an array, the unset command is used.

unset arrayname[index#] will destroy the value of that index, whilst unset name removes the entire
array.

1.2 Associative Array

Associative arrays provide the capability of storing value as an index, but to do so you must declare
before initializing.

Example: Declare and initialize individually

declare -A colours
colours[apple]=red
colours[berry]=blue
colours[banana]=yellow
colours[grape]=purple

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Example: Initialize at the time of declaration
declare -A colours=([apple]=red [berry]=blue [banana]=yellow [grape]=purple)

The following screen shots shows how elements of an associative array can be accessed

Individually

Print indexes

Print values

Once an associate array has been initialized then the only way to add new element is to use For
example: arrayname+=([index-key]=value)
The screen shot below will print the current array’s content, then adds the element [pear]=green before
reprint array’s content.

2 The declare command

The declare command allows us to modify the properties of variables. The typeset command is an alias
for declare and the two can be used interchangeably in bash.

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3 Functions
A function is used in bash to group commands together for later execution and called utilizing a single
name for the group. The use of functions enables:

 Abstraction: Focusing on individual building blocks rather than the whole structure

 Modularity: The ability to be divided up into smaller components

 Readability: Since code is in smaller blocks it makes it easier to understand

There are two ways declare a function (1) using the name of the function and (02) using the reserved
word function.

Method 1:
name ( ) {
commands
}

name ( ) { commands; } ⇐In a single line

Method 2:
function name {
commands
}

function name { commands; } ⇐In a single line

Spaces between curly braces and commands are required, along with a semicolon or a newline to
represent the end of commands.

#!/bin/bash
Hello ( ) { echo 'hello, world'; }
Hello
Declaring a function doesn’t execute it, we must invoke a bash function by calling the function’s name.
Also, the function’s definition must be placed before any calls to the function.

#!/bin/bash
Hello ( ) { echo “Hello, world”; }
Hello ⇐This line executes the function

3.1 Variables
In bash all variables by default are defined as global, even if declared inside the function. If you require a
variable to be used only within a specific function you must use the local keyword. Local variables can
have the same name in different functions.

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The script localV above starts by defining two global variables var1 and var2. Then two functions, both
setting a local variable var1 and modifying the global variable var2. When you run the script, you should
see the following output:

Returning values: Function in bash has a limitation as to what can be return. When a bash function
completes, its returns 0 for success or a decimal number in range 1-255 for failure. And this returned
value is stored in the variable $?

One way of returning a value from function is to use the return keyword, however with the utilization of
return you can only return a numeric value in the range 0-255.
An alternative to the return keyword is to return the value via a stdout using echo or printf. To do this
the function will have to execute via a variable assignment.
variable=$(function_name)

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School of Computing & Information Technology CIT3002
Passing Arguments: To pass parameters to a bash function you will have to place them to the right of
the function when its being called (see line 8 below). In line 4 the $1 and $2 corresponds to the position
of the parameter after function name. Therefore, $1 will store $LOGNAME and $2 will store value
entered by user.

4 Activity
1. Given the following script “R-values”, what will be returned from functions ONE, TWO, THREE, &
FOUR?

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2. Compare the ls function on the left to the one on the right. What can be noted about the keyword
command?

3. Create an array with five (5) random numbers and a function that will allow users to repeat a set of
operations on created array:

 Print all array’s elements

 Print array element based on index
 Summate the contents of the array
 Add new item to array
 command

Developed by: Khalilah Burrell (2012): Updated (2019, 2020)

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