Windows
Linux
Terminal & Shell Scripting
Terminal
Windows goto equivalent in Linux
Bash has no GOTO. Use functions, break, continue, or restructure logic with loops and conditionals.
Windows
→
goto
Linux equivalents
functions / break / continue
functions / break / continue
functions / break / continue
Overview
What this command does
Bash has no GOTO. Use functions, break, continue, or restructure logic with loops and conditionals.
Migration tip: There is no GOTO in bash — and that's a good thing. Restructure your logic using functions, which are cleaner and reusable.
Practical tasks
Common use cases
Control flow — replace GOTO with functions
Bash has no GOTO. Use functions, break, continue, or restructure logic with loops and conditionals.
function name() { ... }
Define a function
break
Exit current loop
continue
Skip to next loop iteration
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
do_backup() {
echo "Running backup..."
tar -czf backup.tar.gz ~/Documents
do_cleanup() {
rm -f /tmp/*.tmp
do_backup
do_cleanup
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
# Windows: goto :label
# Use functions instead:
do_backup() {
echo "Running backup..."
tar -czf backup.tar.gz ~/Documents
}
do_cleanup() {
rm -f /tmp/*.tmp
}
do_backup
do_cleanupReference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
function name() { ... } | Define a function |
break | Exit current loop |
continue | Skip to next loop iteration |
return 0 | Return from function with exit code |
Distro differences
Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch
This command is the same on Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch Linux when the relevant tool is installed.
| Distribution | Package manager / base | Equivalent command | Difference to notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian/Ubuntu | same command | functions / break / continue |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Fedora | same command | functions / break / continue |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Arch | same command | functions / break / continue |
Same command on this distribution. |
Keep learning