How to create bash alias with argument? [duplicate]

Question

I normally use ps -elf | grep proceesname to get a detailed description of the process named processname. I think that I have to write too much for this.

Now what i was thinking is to create a bash alias like

alias lsps='ps -elf | grep $1'

which will give the above detailed description only by using lsps processname.

So, my question is how do I create a bash alias which accepts an argument.

PS: I know I can write a shell script for the above task but I was just wondering how to do it with bash alias.

For GNU ps it's probably better to say lsps () { ps -lf -C "$1" ; }. — sorpigal
– sorpigal, Commented Jul 13, 2012 at 14:39

Igor Chubin · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-13 08:09:29Z

83

Very simple;

alias lsps='ps -elf | grep'

Command line arguments will be added automatically to the end of the alias:

lsps arg1 arg2 arg3 => converted to => ps -elf | grep arg1 arg2 arg3

That works only when you want to add arguments to the end of alias.

If you want to get arguments of the alias inside of the expanded command line you must use functions:

For example:

lsps()
{
    ps -elf | grep "$1" | grep -v grep
}

Functions as well as aliases can be saved in your ~/.bashrc file )or a file that is included from it):

$ cat /tmp/.bash_aliases
lsps()
{
    ps -elf | grep "$1" | grep -v grep
}

$ . /tmp/.bash_aliases
$

edited Jul 13, 2012 at 8:09

answered Jul 13, 2012 at 8:03

Igor Chubin

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9 Comments

RanRag Over a year ago

Thanks it worked. But what if I had to give an argument.

Igor Chubin Over a year ago

Just use functions in that case

Igor Chubin Over a year ago

That is strange. May be you've added additional spaces after the function name (in its definition). I added example of usage to my answer, as you can see all works perfect.

Igor Chubin Over a year ago

Yes, you have to add the function; and that is all.

RanRag Over a year ago

Still not working. Here is my .bash_aliases and the error

|

ramazan polat · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-13 08:02:11Z

7

Use this:

alias lsps='ps -elf | grep'

Then you can issue this:

lsps processname

answered Jul 13, 2012 at 8:02

ramazan polat

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