How to Run Multiple Commands at Once on Linux

On Linux, it’s common to need to run multiple commands at once. This can save time and make it easier to manage your system. Fortunately, there are several ways to do this.

Using a semicolon (;)

The simplest way to run multiple commands on Linux is to use a semicolon (;). This separates each command and tells Linux to run them one after the other. For example:

command1 ; command2 ; command3

Each command will be executed sequentially, regardless of whether the previous command succeeded or failed.

Using double ampersands (&&)

If you want to run multiple commands on Linux and have each one depend on the success of the previous command, you can use double ampersands (&&) instead of semicolons. This tells Linux to run the next command only if the previous command was successful. For example:

command1 && command2 && command3

If command1 fails, command2 and command3 will not be executed.

Using double pipes (||)

Conversely, if you want to run multiple commands on Linux and have each one depend on the failure of the previous command, you can use double pipes (||). This tells Linux to run the next command only if the previous command failed. For example:

command1 || command2 || command3

If command1 succeeds, command2 and command3 will not be executed.

It’s important to note that when running multiple commands on Linux, it’s a good idea to use a set of parentheses to group the commands together. This ensures that they are executed as a single unit, and makes it easier to read and understand the command. For example:

(command1 && command2) || command3

This will run command1 and command2 together, and if they both succeed, command3 will not be executed. If either command1 or command2 fails, command3 will be executed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these are the three ways to run multiple commands on Linux at once. Whether you use a semicolon, double ampersands, or double pipes, it’s important to use parentheses to group the commands together and ensure they are executed as a single unit.