Difference between echo $(cal) and echo "$(cal)" [bash]

Asked Aug 17 '21 at 06:16

Active Aug 17 '21 at 06:16

Viewed 19 times

I'm a linux noob.

When I type echo $(cal) in bash it prints calendar without any formatting.

But when i type echo "$(cal)" it prints the complete formatted calendar.

What is the distinction between these 2 commands ?

btw, this case is described in the book The Linux Command Line by William E. Shotts, Jr. [in 7th chapter's command substitution section ] but I couldn't get it :(

asked Aug 17 '21 at 06:16

meeso2004

shellcheck.net is good at pointing out common mistakes like missing quotes. It'll also point out that echo "$(somecommand)" is just an overcomplicated way to run cal. I recommend running your scripts through it, at least until you get more experience. – Gordon Davisson Aug 17 '21 at 06:34
1

See also: Quoting within $(command substitution) in Bash – ilkkachu Aug 17 '21 at 08:21

Difference between echo $(cal) and echo "$(cal)" [bash]

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