How can I print n days old date?

Question

For 2 days old date I usually do this

echo $(date -v -2d)

What i am looking to do is something like this

n=5
echo $(date -v -nd)

ishandutta2007 · Accepted Answer · 2019-09-25 11:59:34Z

0

Solved it myself

n=5
echo $(date -v -${n}d)

answered Sep 25, 2019 at 11:59

ishandutta2007

1478 bronze badges

5

Why the echo? date -v "-${n}d" should be enough.
– Stéphane Chazelas
Sep 25, 2019 at 12:24
sure point noted, but why quotes? it works without it as well.
– ishandutta2007
Sep 25, 2019 at 13:11
2

See Security implications of forgetting to quote a variable in bash/POSIX shells Leaving it unquoted introduces an unnecessary dependency of that code on the $IFS variable in shells like sh/bash
– Stéphane Chazelas
Sep 25, 2019 at 13:53
3

BTW, don't be put off by downvoters. You did the right thing to post an answer to your own question after you found it yourself. Note that it's perfectly fine to edit your posts to merge in suggestions given in comments by others. What matters is that in the end we have the most helpful Q's & A's as possible.
– Stéphane Chazelas
Sep 25, 2019 at 13:57

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