How to create an alias, but so I can enter in different info with the command [duplicate]

Question

This question already has an answer here:

• How to pass parameters to an alias? 3 answers

Hi I was wondering I have to run some rather long commands all day. I know how to create aliases for the commands, but the problem I am having is each command contains different IP address in the middle of the command. Is there a way to create an alias so that it runs the command and all I would have to do is enter an IP?

Answer 1

Another alternative would be to create a function, rather than an alias, as that saves you running a sequence of commands.

function doip
{
  my_command "$1"
}

Answer 2

Yes a few different ways; with read and chaining things together or a function (function description in a different answer).

To use read and chain:

read IP && echo $IP

Will read a line from the console (stored in $IP) and then echo it out.

So the alias command:

alias fish='read IP && echo $IP'

Will do the same when you type fish.

So let's say you want to: prompt for IP, read IP, ping IP with the alias fish.

The command would be:

alias fish='echo -n "Enter IP: " && read IP && ping $IP'

fish will prompt for IP (Enter IP:), read an IP into $IP and then ping it.