Embedded Prep

Loop in Shell Script : Repeating tasks is a common need in programming, and Bash scripting makes it super simple with loops. Whether you’re a total beginner or just brushing up, this guide will walk you through for, while, and until loops in Bash in a clear and practical way.

Loop in Shell Script :

Why Loops Matter in Bash

Loops let you automate repetitive tasks, saving time and reducing errors. Imagine printing numbers, processing files, or running commands multiple times — loops make it all easy.

In Bash, there are three main types of loops:

• for loop – great for iterating over a list or range
• while loop – runs as long as a condition is true
• until loop – runs until a condition becomes true

Let’s explore each with easy examples!

The for Loop

The for loop is perfect when you know how many times you want to repeat a task.

Syntax:

for variable in list
do
  # commands
done

Example 1: Print numbers 1 to 5

for i in 1 2 3 4 5
do
  echo "Number: $i"
done

Example 2: Loop through a list of names

for name in Alice Bob Charlie
do
  echo "Hello, $name!"
done

The while Loop

The while loop continues as long as a condition is true.

Syntax:

while [ condition ]
do
  # commands
done

Example: Count from 1 to 5

count=1
while [ $count -le 5 ]
do
  echo "Count: $count"
  ((count++))
done

Tip: Always make sure your condition will eventually become false to avoid infinite loops!

The until Loop

The until loop is like the opposite of while. It runs until the condition is true.

Syntax:

until [ condition ]
do
  # commands
done

Example: Count from 1 to 5 using until

count=1
until [ $count -gt 5 ]
do
  echo "Count: $count"
  ((count++))
done

Notice the key difference: until continues as long as the condition is false.

Bash Loop Tips for Beginners

• Use echo to debug your loop logic.
• Prefer for loops for simple repetitions and lists.
• Use while or until for more flexible conditions.
• Don’t forget the do and done keywords!

Is do while supported in Bash?

No, Bash does not support do...while loops directly.

In C/C++, a do...while loop runs at least once, and checks the condition after executing the block.

// In C
do {
    // code
} while (condition);

Workaround in Bash

You can simulate a do...while loop in Bash using a while loop with a break condition inside.

Bash Equivalent (Simulating do...while):

count=1
while true
do
  echo "Count: $count"
  ((count++))

  if [ $count -gt 5 ]; then
    break
  fi
done

Here’s what’s happening:

• while true ensures the loop runs at least once.
• We manually check the condition after executing the body.
• break exits the loop once the condition is met — mimicking do...while.

Pro Tip

If you must ensure a loop runs at least once in Bash, this pattern is your go-to replacement for do...while.

FAQ | Learn How to Repeat Tasks Using for, while, and until Loops in Bash

1. What is a loop in Bash?

A loop in Bash is a control structure that allows you to repeat a task or a set of tasks multiple times without needing to write the same code over and over again. Loops are essential for automating repetitive tasks in your Bash scripts.

2. What’s the difference between for, while, and until loops in Bash?

• for loop: Executes a block of code for each item in a list or a range. Ideal when you know how many times you want the loop to run.
• while loop: Runs as long as a given condition is true. Use this when the number of iterations isn’t fixed, but the condition should be true.
• until loop: Similar to while, but it runs until the condition becomes true, meaning it stops when the condition is true.

3. When should I use a for loop in Bash?

Use a for loop when you want to iterate over a list or a range of numbers. It’s perfect for scenarios where you know the exact number of iterations you need.

Example:

for i in 1 2 3 4 5
do
  echo "Iteration: $i"
done

4. How do while and until loops differ?

• A while loop checks if a condition is true before executing the code block. It continues as long as the condition remains true.
• An until loop works oppositely. It checks if a condition is false and will continue executing the block until the condition becomes true.

Example while:

count=1
while [ $count -le 5 ]
do
  echo "Count: $count"
  ((count++))
done

Example until:

count=1
until [ $count -gt 5 ]
do
  echo "Count: $count"
  ((count++))
done

5. How can I stop an infinite loop in Bash?

To prevent an infinite loop, make sure your loop condition will eventually become false. However, if you do find yourself in an infinite loop, you can stop it by pressing Ctrl+C in the terminal.

6. Can I combine multiple loops in Bash?

Yes, you can nest loops in Bash. This means you can place one loop inside another. Here’s an example with a for loop inside a while loop:

count=1
while [ $count -le 3 ]
do
  for i in 1 2 3
  do
    echo "Count: $count, Inner loop: $i"
  done
  ((count++))
done

7. What is the syntax for for, while, and until loops?

• for loop: for variable in list do # commands done
• while loop: while [ condition ] do # commands done
• until loop: until [ condition ] do # commands done

8. Can I use a for loop with ranges in Bash?

Yes, you can. Bash supports range iteration in for loops by specifying a range like this:

for i in {1..5}
do
  echo "Number: $i"
done

This will output numbers from 1 to 5.

9. What happens if I forget the do or done in a loop?

If you forget do or done, Bash will throw a syntax error. Both do and done are essential to mark the start and end of the code block inside loops.

10. Can I break out of a loop in Bash?

Yes! You can use the break command to exit a loop early, regardless of the loop condition.

Example:

for i in {1..10}
do
  if [ $i -eq 5 ]; then
    break
  fi
  echo "Number: $i"
done

This will print numbers 1 to 4, then exit the loop when $i equals 5.

11. What is the continue statement used for in loops?

The continue statement skips the rest of the current iteration and moves to the next iteration of the loop.

Example:

for i in {1..5}
do
  if [ $i -eq 3 ]; then
    continue
  fi
  echo "Number: $i"
done

This will skip the number 3 and print 1, 2, 4, 5

You can also Visit other tutorials of Embedded Prep 

• What is eMMC (Embedded MultiMediaCard) memory ?
• Top 30+ I2C Interview Questions
• Bit Manipulation Interview Questions
• Structure and Union in c
• Little Endian vs. Big Endian: A Complete Guide
• Merge sort algorithm

Special thanks to @embedded-prep for contributing to this article on Embedded Prep