How to send a "backspace" character in Linux (UNIX)?

[RaiderJ]

I'm writing a shell script on Redhat, but for the life of me can't figure out how to send a backspace character from the script.

I think it's something like:

echo "testt\b"

where the "\b" should delete the extra letter/space/whatever.

Anyone know? I've searched on some websites, and for the life of me can't figure it out.

 

[EmperorRob]

-e

use da man pizzle 😉

 

[RaiderJ]

That doesn't seem to work... or I'm using it wrong.

How would that be used in a command? I've tried echo -e "testt", echo "testt" -e, and neither seems to work.

And just for reference, I'm not really trying to delete an extra "t", but that's just my example.

Thanks!

 

[RaiderJ]

Now I've got it to work... I was just using it wrong. Thanks for the help EmperorRob!

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

I'm not sure why GNU echo even has the -e option. Just use printf, that's exactly what it's for.

 

[RaiderJ]

Thanks! That's another good command to know!