Linux Multiline Comment - Shell/Bash

As a programmer, you may need to add comments in your code to explain certain sections or functionalities. In Linux Shell/Bash scripting, you can add comments using "#" symbol. However, sometimes you may need to add comments that span across multiple lines. This is where the Linux Multiline Comment comes in handy.

Syntax

The syntax for multiline comment in Linux Shell/Bash is as follows:

: '
    Your
    multiline
    comment
    goes
    here
'

Explanation

• The first line contains ":" symbol followed by a single quotation mark ('), indicating the start of the multiline comment.
• Then, you can add as many lines as you want to your comment.
• Finally, the comment is ended with a closing single quotation mark (').

Note that the colon (:) in the first line is not always necessary, but it ensures that the comment will be parsed as a command and not as a string literal.

Example

Let's say you want to add a multiline comment in your Shell/Bash script to explain a function. You can do it like this:

#!/bin/bash

# This function does X, Y, and Z
myFunc() {
    : '
    This is a multiline comment that explains what myFunc() does.
    It does X by doing A, B, and C. Then it does Y by doing D and E.
    Finally, it does Z by calling another function.
    '
    # Function code goes here
    echo "Function code goes here"
}

# Main program starts here
myFunc

In the above example, the multiline comment explains what the function myFunc() does and how it does it. The comment spans across multiple lines, making it easier to read and understand.

Conclusion

Using Linux Multiline Comment in your Shell/Bash scripts can help you write cleaner and more readable code. It allows you to explain complex functionalities or sections of your code in a detailed manner. Just remember to use the proper syntax and you're good to go!