BashFAQ/086

How to ignore aliases, functions, or builtins when running a command?

functions, builtins, external utilities, and aliases can all be defined with the same name at once. It's sometimes necessary specify which of these the shell should resolve while bypassing the others.

Contents

How to ignore aliases, functions, or builtins when running a command?

Bypass aliases

Resolve commands normally ignoring aliases:

\name

\unalias name
name

Clear all aliases:

\unalias -a

Alias expansion in bash is disabled by default in non-posix mode.

Prioritize calling a builtin or external command

Bypass aliases and functions:

\command name

If PATH is unknown / unreliable:

   1 \command -p -- name "${args[@]}"

The remainder of this FAQ assumes alias expansion has been disabled or otherwise mitigated.

Prioritize calling only a builtin

   1 # Strictly bash-only. Not recommended
   2 
   3 function my_builtin {
   4     builtin my_builtin "$@"
   5 }

Call an external utility by PATH resolution, bypassing builtins and/or functions

   1 "$(type -P name)" "${args[@]}"

Call a specific external utility

Specify the full or relative path name containing at least one forward slash.