How do I add a flag to an alias?

Question

Is it possible to add a flag to a bash alias you create yourself? e.g.

con -a = 'ssh [email protected]'
con -b = 'ssh [email protected]'

score 7 · Accepted Answer · edited May 10 '12 at 19:51

7

Or, use a function instead of an alias:

con() {
  local OPTIND svr
  while getopts ":ab" option; do
    case $option in
      a) svr=server1 ;;
      b) svr=server2 ;;
      ?) echo "invalid option: $OPTARG"; return 1 ;;
    esac
  done
  ssh username@${svr}.domain.com
}

con -a

edited May 10 '12 at 19:51

Cajunluke

17,704

answered May 10 '12 at 18:01

glenn jackman

1,974

Right. Though, considering OP only needs a single flag, the getopts loop might be a teensy-weensy bit overkill :). – kopischke May 10 '12 at 19:21
2

If you're going to show someone how to do something, show them the correct way. – glenn jackman May 10 '12 at 20:10
not contesting the merits of your answer – I linked to it indicating it is better than mine. – kopischke May 10 '12 at 20:12
Can this be placed in .profile along with aliases? – Ed Holloway-George May 14 '12 at 11:15
1

.bashrc is usually recommended – glenn jackman May 14 '12 at 11:40

score 2 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:45

2

Nope – aliases are simple text substitutions. Use different alias names instead:

alias cona='ssh [email protected]' 
alias conb='ssh [email protected]'

EDIT if absolutely must have flags, a function will serve better than an alias – see @glenn-jackmann’s answer.

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:45

Community

1

answered May 10 '12 at 17:37

kopischke

5,166

How do I add a flag to an alias?

2 Answers2