Hash (Unix)

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hash is a command on Unix and Unix-like operating systems that prints the location information for the commands found. The hash command has also been ported to the IBM i operating system.^[1]

$ hash [name]

When the user gives a command, the shell searches for the command in the path specified in the PATH environmental variable and stores the location in the hash. This command can be used to search for the command given. The command is built into the shell. C shell implements this command in a different way.

The following options are supported.

name

Searches the PATH environmental variable for the name given

This command returns the following exit values:

0

Successful completion

1

An Error occurred

$ hash

Print the hash table.

$ hash cat

Searches for command cat in the path specified by PATH environmental variable; if found, adds it to the hash.

• find
• Unix shell
  • sh
  • bash
  • csh
  • ksh

The Wikibook Guide to Unix has a page on the topic of: Commands

• hash – Shell and Utilities Reference, The Single UNIX Specification, Version 4 from The Open Group
• hash(1) – Solaris 11.4 User Commands Reference Manual