How can I recall the argument of the previous bash command?

Question

Is there a way in Bash to recall the argument of the previous command?

I usually do vi file.c followed by gcc file.c.

Is there a w

Answer 1

!!:n where n is the 0-based position of the argument you want.

For example:

echo 'one' 'two'
# "one two"

echo !!:2
# "two"

The ! prefix is used to access previous commands.

Other useful commands:

• !$ - last argument from previous command
• !^ - first argument (after the program/built-in/script) from previous command
• !! - previous command (often pronounced "bang bang")
• !n - command number n from history
• !pattern - most recent command matching pattern
• !!:s/find/replace - last command, substitute find with replace

More info on command history