How can I define a bash alias as a sequence of multiple commands? [duplicate]

Answer 1

Apropos multiple commands in a single alias, you can use one of the logical operators to combine them. Here's one to switch to a directory and do an ls on it

      alias x="cd /tmp && ls -al"

Another option is to use a shell function. These are sh/zsh/bash commands. I don't know enough of other shells to be sure if they work.

As for the sudo thing, if you want that (although I don't think it's a good idea), the right way to go is to alter the /etc/sudoers file to get what you want.

Answer 2

it's probably easier to define functions for these types of things than aliases, keeps things more readable if you want to do more than a command or two:

In your .bashrc

perform_my_command() {
    pushd /some_dir
    my_command "$@"
    popd
}

Then on the command line you can simply do:

perform_my_command my_parameter my_other_parameter "my quoted parameter"

You could do anything you like in a function, call other functions, etc.

You may want to have a look at the Advanced Bash Scripting Guide for in depth knowledge.