---
name: qx
status: documented
runtime: pp
source: src/runtime/pp/io.rs
---
```{index} single: qx; Perl built-in (pp runtime)
```

# qx

## Synopsis

```perl
my $output = `command`;
my $output = qx{command};
my @lines  = `command`;
```

## Description

Executes a shell command and captures its standard output.

Passes the command string to `/bin/sh -c "..."` for execution.
In scalar context, returns the entire captured stdout as a single
string.  In list context, returns a list of lines (each including
its trailing newline), split on `$/` (input record separator).

After execution, `$?` (child error) is set to the child process
wait status.  Stdin is inherited from the parent so that
interactive commands (e.g. `tput`) work correctly; stderr is also
inherited.

## See also

system, exec, open