Command chaining (&&, ||, ;) in Linux CLI - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the && operator do in command chaining?

It runs the second command only if the first command succeeds (returns exit status 0). Think of it as "and then if successful."

beginner

What happens when you use the || operator between two commands?

The second command runs only if the first command fails (returns non-zero exit status). It's like saying "or else run this."

beginner

How does the ; operator work in command chaining?

It runs commands sequentially, one after another, regardless of whether the previous command succeeded or failed.

intermediate

Example: What will happen with mkdir test && cd test if the directory already exists?

The mkdir test will fail because the directory exists, so cd test will NOT run because of the && operator.

intermediate

Why might you use command1 || command2 in a script?

To try command1 and if it fails, automatically run command2 as a fallback or error handler.

What does cmd1 && cmd2 do?

A Runs cmd2 first, then cmd1

B Runs cmd2 only if cmd1 fails

C Runs cmd2 only if cmd1 succeeds

D Runs cmd1 and cmd2 regardless of success

&& runs the second command only if the first command succeeds.

What happens with cmd1 || cmd2?

A Runs cmd2 only if cmd1 succeeds

B Runs cmd2 only if cmd1 fails

C Runs both commands always

D Runs cmd1 twice

|| runs the second command only if the first command fails.

Which operator runs commands one after another no matter what?

A ;

B ||

C &&

D |

The semicolon ; runs commands sequentially regardless of success or failure.

If you want to run cmd2 only when cmd1 fails, which do you use?

A cmd1 | cmd2

B cmd1 && cmd2

C cmd1 ; cmd2

D cmd1 || cmd2

|| runs the second command only if the first fails.

What will mkdir newdir; cd newdir do?

A Run mkdir, then cd regardless of mkdir success

B Run cd only if mkdir succeeds

C Run cd only if mkdir fails

D Run neither command

The semicolon runs commands one after another no matter what.

Explain how the &&, ||, and ; operators differ in chaining commands.

Think about success and failure conditions for each operator.

Describe a real-life situation where you would use command1 || command2 in a script.

Imagine trying something and doing something else if it doesn't work.