# ECHO

> [HTML Version](echo_lit.htm)

_Updated May 2026; see History_

**ECHO <text>**

ECHO functions similarly to the Unix and Windows command of the same name. It offers similar functionality to the command file ":<  ... >" mechanism, but is more flexible and powerful, supporting the full range of special \$ variables (which otherwise only work within DO files) and environment variables (e.g. %MIAME%).

**Examples**

ECHO Your job name is \$NJ

ECHO The MIAME directory is %MIAME%

AGCMD/K0/S BROWSEFOLDER 

ECHO You selected folder \$KBD0

**See Also**

•	[ECHO](echo_noechosbr.htm.md)[xs](keyword-types.htm.md)

**History**

2026 May, A-Shell 1786:  Update IF.LIT (x.x.xxx) and ECHO.LIT (x.x.xxx) to support a new variable (\$?) that equates to the exit status of the last module execution. For example:

RUN PROG1

ECHO PROG1 Exit Status: \$?

IF \$? <> 0 

    ECHO Error, cannot continue

    GOTO ENDIT

ELSE

    RUN PROG2

ENDIF

;ENDIT



Note that this variable is not recognized by DO.LIT. 

2017 July, A-Shell 6.5.1610:  DUMP.LIT 1.0(107) now makes the scroll bar visible if the environment supports it (A-Shell/Windows and ATE version 6.5.1610 or later) and the output of the command causes the screen to scroll.

2011 May, A-Shell 5.1.1215:  Added to A-Shell