What does `!:-` do?

Question

I am very new to bash scripting and in Ubuntu\Debian package system.

Today I am studying the content of this preinst file that the script executes before that package is unpacked from its Debian archive (.deb) file.

My fist doubt is about a line containing this:

!:-

Probably it is a stupid question but, using Google, I can't find an answer.

Please post more code in context of where it is used. – Michael Berkowski Apr 01 '15 at 12:07 — Michael Berkowski, Apr 01 '15 at 12:07

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 01 '15 at 13:09

3

Insert the last command without the last argument (bash)

/usr/sbin/ab2 -f TLS1 -S -n 1000 -c 100 -t 2 http://www.google.com/

then

!:- http://www.stackoverflow.com/

is the same as

/usr/sbin/ab2 -f TLS1 -S -n 1000 -c 100 -t 2 http://www.stackoverflow.com/

answered Apr 01 '15 at 13:09

Gerald Hughes

2

`!:-` is one of the so called *history interaction commands*. Check the manual to learn all that goodies: https://www.gnu.org/software/bash/manual/html_node/History-Interaction.html – hek2mgl Apr 01 '15 at 13:12

1 Answers1