Color output (ANSI escape codes) in Bash Scripting

Introduction

Using colors in terminal output makes messages easier to see and understand quickly.

Highlight errors or warnings in scripts

Make success messages stand out

Differentiate types of information in logs

Improve readability of command line tools

Add visual appeal to script outputs

Syntax

Bash Scripting

echo -e "\e[COLOR_CODEmYour text here\e[0m"

Use \e or \033 to start an ANSI escape code.

End the color with \e[0m to reset back to normal text.

Examples

Prints text in red color.

Bash Scripting

echo -e "\e[31mThis is red text\e[0m"

Prints text in green color.

Bash Scripting

echo -e "\e[32mThis is green text\e[0m"

Prints bold blue text using two codes separated by a semicolon.

Bash Scripting

echo -e "\e[1;34mThis is bold blue text\e[0m"

Sample Program

This script prints four messages, each in a different color to show how to use ANSI escape codes for color output.

Bash Scripting

#!/bin/bash

# Print messages in different colors

echo -e "\e[31mError: Something went wrong!\e[0m"
echo -e "\e[32mSuccess: Operation completed!\e[0m"
echo -e "\e[33mWarning: Check your input.\e[0m"
echo -e "\e[1;34mInfo: Process started.\e[0m"

Important Notes

Not all terminals support colors, but most modern ones do.

Use \e[0m after colored text to avoid coloring everything after.

You can combine codes like bold (1) and color (e.g., 34 for blue) with a semicolon.

Summary

ANSI escape codes add color to terminal text.

Start with \e[ and end with m, reset with \e[0m.

Colors help make script output clearer and easier to read.