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In sh (not Bash), how would we abort execution of command when the prompt is in > mode?

For example, when entering a string with quotes only at the beginning, it makes the prompt look like >, without the ability to quit it normally, unless hitting Ctrl + D. Example:

root@MyPC:~# echo "hello
> I am
> (How do I exit of this mode?)

In case that I don't know which character delimits the string (" or ' or simply escaping a newline/spaces with backslash), is there a way to let Bash know that I want to abort the execution of the current command?

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1 Answer 1

Reset to default
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^C aka Ctrl+C will abort what you're doing and get you back to a normal prompt.

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  • 2
    A good thing to know in general for interrupting any running command. Commented Mar 5, 2014 at 10:09
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    if it does not work try also crtl + d to stop process and if does not work use ctrl + z to background the running command find it's PID and kill it with kill Commented Mar 5, 2014 at 10:54
  • ^D will only work if a process is reading from standard input. ^\ is a good one too (sends a SIGQUIT). Commented Mar 5, 2014 at 11:01
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    @Kiwy Easier is to run jobs and use kill %x Commented Mar 5, 2014 at 12:19
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    It depends what intr is set to on the tty. If you do stty -a you'll see which control codes are set to do what. Commented Mar 5, 2014 at 15:32

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