Windows call script.bat equivalent in Linux
Sources a shell script so it can modify current shell state.
call script.bat
source script.sh
source script.sh
source script.sh
Overview
What this command does
On Windows, "call script.bat" is used to run script in current shell. On Linux, the closest practical mapping shown here is "source script.sh". Sources a shell script so it can modify current shell state. This reference is grouped under Terminal & Shell Scripting → Scripts.
Windows → Linux context
What changes when you use this on Linux?
Equivalent task, different tool
Windows call script.bat maps to source script.sh for this task. Treat this as a workflow mapping rather than a character-for-character syntax translation.
Portable across the compared distros
The Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch rows use the same command in this mapping. Package availability or defaults can still vary, so check the installed tool version when an option behaves differently.
For the broader concept behind this mapping, read Linux command-line basics.
Practical tasks
Common use cases
Run script in current shell
Sources a shell script so it can modify current shell state.
source script.sh
Run script in current shell
source --help
Show command help when supported
man source
Open the manual page when installed
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
source script.sh
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
# Windows equivalent: call script.bat
source script.shReference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
source script.sh | Run script in current shell |
source --help | Show command help when supported |
man source | Open the manual page when installed |
Distro differences
Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch
Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch all use "source script.sh" for this mapping. The command syntax shown here is portable across the three rows, although installed versions and system defaults can still vary.
| Distribution | Package manager / base | Equivalent command | Difference to notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian/Ubuntu | same command | source script.sh |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Fedora | same command | source script.sh |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Arch | same command | source script.sh |
Same command on this distribution. |
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