Variables Summary --- $1, $2, ... The first, second, etc command-line arguments to the script. variable=value To set a value for a variable. Remember, no spaces on either side of = Quotes " ' Double will do variable substitution, single will not. variable=$( command ) Save the output of a command into a variable export var1 Make the variable var1 available to child processes. --- Important Concepts! --- Formatting The presence or absence of spaces is important. Manageability If a particular value is used several times within a script (eg a file or directory name) then using a variable can make it easier to manage.