seq command in Linux with Examples

seq command in Linux is used to generate numbers from FIRST to LAST in steps of INCREMENT. It is a very useful command where we had to generate list of numbers in while, for, until loop. 

Syntax:  

seq [OPTION]... LAST
  or
seq [OPTION]... FIRST LAST
  or
seq [OPTION]... FIRST INCREMENT LAST

Options:  

• seq LAST: When only one argument is given then it produces numbers from 1 to LAST in step increment of 1. If the LAST is less than 1, then is produces no output. 

• seq FIRST LAST: When two arguments are given then it produces numbers from FIRST till LAST is step increment of 1. If LAST is less than FIRST, then it produces no output. 
   

• seq FIRST INCREMENT LAST: When three arguments are given then it produces numbers from FIRST till LAST in step of INCREMENT. If LAST is less than FIRST, then it produces no output. 
   

• seq -f “FORMAT” FIRST INCREMENT LAST: This command is used to generate sequence in a formatted manner. FIRST and INCREMENT are optional. 

• seq -s “STRING” FIRST INCREMENT LAST: This command is uses to STRING to separate numbers. By default this value is equal to “\n”. FIRST and INCREMENT are optional. 

• seq -w FIRST INCREMENT LAST: This command is used to equalize width by padding with leading zeroes. FIRST and INCREMENT are optional. 

• seq –help: It displays help information. 

• seq –version: It displays version information.