select command in Linux with examples

select command in Linux is used to create a numbered menu from which a user can select an option. If the user enters a valid option then it executes the set of commands written in the select block and then asks again to enter a number, if a wrong option is entered it does nothing. If the user enters nothing and simply presses 'enter' the option menu gets printed.

Syntax

select NAME [in WORDS ... ;] do COMMANDS; done

Basic Example

To demonstrate how the select command works, here’s an example:

Available Option with the select command

1. help select

To get help on how the select command works, use:

help select

This will display helpful information about the usage and behavior of the select command.

Handling Invalid Input

If a user enters an invalid selection (a number that doesn't correspond to any menu item), the select command does not execute any command, but instead re-displays the menu and waits for another input. This ensures that the script remains stable and does not crash or perform unintended actions.

Conclusion

The select command in Linux is used for creating simple and user-friendly menus in shell scripts. Whether you're building an interactive script, an administrative tool, or an installation assistant, select provides an easy way to present choices to the user. With its ability to handle invalid input and loop until the user makes a valid choice, select is perfect for creating interactive menus that enhance user experience.