The declare or typeset builtins (they are exact synonyms) permit restricting the properties of variables. This is a very weak form of the typing available in certain programming languages. The declare command is specific to version 2 or later of Bash. The typeset command also works in ksh scripts.
declare -r var1 |
(declare -r var1 works the same as readonly var1)
This is the rough equivalent of the C const type qualifier. An attempt to change the value of a readonly variable fails with an error message.
declare -i number # The script will treat subsequent occurrences of "number" as an integer. number=3 echo "number = $number" # number = 3 number=three echo "number = $number" # number = 0 # Tries to evaluate "three" as an integer. |
declare -a indices |
The variable indices will be treated as an array.
declare -f |
A declare -f line with no arguments in a script causes a listing of all the functions previously defined in that script.
declare -f function_name |
A declare -f function_name in a script lists just the function named.
declare -x var3 |
This declares a variable as available for exporting outside the environment of the script itself.
declare -x var3=373 |
The declare command permits assigning a value to a variable in the same statement as setting its properties.
Example 9-20. Using declare to type variables
#!/bin/bash
func1 ()
{
echo This is a function.
}
declare -f # Lists the function above.
echo
declare -i var1 # var1 is an integer.
var1=2367
echo "var1 declared as $var1"
var1=var1+1 # Integer declaration eliminates the need for 'let'.
echo "var1 incremented by 1 is $var1."
# Attempt to change variable declared as integer
echo "Attempting to change var1 to floating point value, 2367.1."
var1=2367.1 # Results in error message, with no change to variable.
echo "var1 is still $var1"
echo
declare -r var2=13.36 # 'declare' permits setting a variable property
#+ and simultaneously assigning it a value.
echo "var2 declared as $var2" # Attempt to change readonly variable.
var2=13.37 # Generates error message, and exit from script.
echo "var2 is still $var2" # This line will not execute.
exit 0 # Script will not exit here. |