a - read command in shell scripts read command is used to accept input from the user It reads one line from standard input (usually keyboard) Then it assigns it to one or more variables common options: -p → displays a custom prompt -n n → read exactly n characters -d "d" → provides a different delimiter -s → silent input (for passwords) -t n → waits for input up to n seconds
b - read command examples read name → basic input read fname lname → multiple variables input read -p "Please enter your age: " age → custom prompt read -s -p "Enter your password: " password → silent input read -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue..." response → specific number of character read -t 5 -p "Enter your name within 5 seconds: " name → input time out