How to Create a Permanent Bash Alias?

The “bash alias” corresponds to a shortcut containing various commands to be executed in a “bash” environment. It mostly replaces multiple/big commands with the user-defined string. It is quite beneficial to address complex commands that need frequent execution. 

This post pens down the complete procedure to create permanent bash alias with the following outcomes:

How Do I Create a Permanent Bash Alias?

This section carries out the essential steps for creating permanent bash alias quickly.

Step 1: Edit the “~/.bashrc” File

First, open the “.bashrc” file in the text editor “nano” by just specifying its name with the desired file:

$ nano ~/.bashrc

Once the file is opened, please ensure that the above-highlighted lines are in the “.bashrc” file.

Step 2: Create Permanent Bash “alias”

The basic syntax to add an alias is defined below:

$ alias alias_name="command_to_run"

The syntax contains the following parameters: 

  • alias: Represents the main keyword.
  • alias_name: Shows the name of the created alias.
  • command_to_run: It is encoded in the inverted commas without any space.

By following the above syntax, we created an alias for the most frequently used commands “update” and “upgrade” having the name “upd”: 

#For Update System Packages

alias upd="sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade"

The “#(hashtag)” symbol denotes the explanation of the alias as an explanation. Press “Ctrl+S” to save and “Ctrl+X” to exit the file.

Step 3: Activate the Bash “alias”

The newly created alias will be present the next time you log in as a new session. But to activate the “upd” alias, instantly execute the “source” command:

$ source ~/.bashrc

The above command is executed successfully.

Step 4: Run the “alias”

Now, simply type the “upd” alias and press the “Enter” key. The defined updation and upgradation job of the “upd” alias will be started:

$ upd

All the system packages have been updated and upgraded successfully. 

How Do I Create a Permanent Bash Alias as Function?

The bash alias can also be used as a function in which multiple commands can be executed simultaneously. Follow the few essential steps to perform this task:

Step 1: Create the Bash alias Function

The basic syntax to create the bash alias function is:

function_name () {
  [commands]
}

Here we created a new function of the name “tomv”:

  • It will first create the file and then move it into the “Downloads” directory. 
  • The “$1” corresponds to the positional parameter for taking arguments from the command and passing it to the function. Here, the $1 represents the filename:
tomv(){touch $1 && mv $1 ~/Downloads }

Step 2: Append the Function to the “.bashrc” File

Add the above newly created “tomv” alias with the arguments in the “~/.bashrc” to make it permanent:

$ nano ~/.bashrc

Save “Ctrl+S” and exit “Ctrl+X” in the script file.

Reload the “~./bashrc” file to update for making the changes effective in the system:

$ source ~/.bashrc

Step 3: Check the Bash alias Function

Now, execute the alias function “tomv” as a command with the argument (representing the filename) and see the results:

$ tomv

The “tomv” has done its job successfully, and the “itslinuxfoss.txt” file has been moved into the “Downloads” directory after its creation.

How Do I Remove a Permanent Bash Alias?

All the created and default bash alias can be seen by just executing the “alias” in the terminal:

$ alias

Now, remove the “upd” alias from the “.bashrc” file and reload it again to make the changes effective:

$ nano ~/.bashrc                              #Open “.bashrc” file
$ source ~/.bashrc                            #Reload “.bashrc” file

Enter “Ctrl+S(save)” and “Ctrl+X(exit)”.

Again execute the “alias” as a command, and now the “upd” alias will not be available in it:

$ alias

The “upd” alias has been completely removed.

Conclusion

To create a permanent bash alias in Linux, edit the “~/.bashrc” file in the text editor(users’ choice). Once the alias is created, reload it using the “source ~/.bashrc” command to activate the new alias. The user can also create an alias in the form of a “function” with many commands. 

This guide has illustrated a brief detail to create a permanent bash.