Shell Builtin

Definitions

1. A command implemented directly inside the shell process rather than as a separate executable, either because it must modify the shell's own state (like `cd`, `export`, `source`) or for performance (like `echo`, `test`) — visible via `type` or `builtin` in Bash.

   In plain English: A command that is built into the shell itself rather than being a separate program, often because it needs to change the shell's own settings.

   Example: "cd has to be a shell builtin — if it were an external program, it would change its own working directory and exit, leaving your shell unchanged."

Related Terms

• Bash
• Cut
• Exit Code
• Pipe
• Redirection
• Shebang
• Shell Expansion
• Shell Variable