How to Write Recursive Shell Script in Bash Terminal

Here's a simple bash recursive function. To write it, you can use JavaScript and other scripting languages. Below is the example that shows you how to write a recursive function in the bash shell.

Recursive function

Precisely, calling the same function within it is called the Recursive function. We call itself and its contents. 

Moreover, the recursive functions go in the loop due to self-calling. While writing the code, ensure it has a condition that breaks the loop.

Recursive logic

#!/bin/bash
for ((i = 1; i < 65; i++))
{ ((arr[i - 1] = i)) } i = 1;
key = 8

function linear_search {
echo "Element value: ${arr[$i-1]}"
if ((arr[i - 1] == key)) then
echo "Linear search found $key on attempt $i" return 0 => it breaks the loop
else ((i++)) linear_search = > Calling th same script fi
}

linear_search = > Calling the same script

Output

Here is the dissection of the output. Displayed the array's elements until match-condition occurs. In the end, a display statement tells at which point the condition is satisfied.

Summary

• The For Loop's purpose is to get elements one by one
• The "arr" is a keyword for an Array in bash
• The i-1 is to calculate an index for the array

References

• Bash made easy