exec

Execute a specific command

$ exec [command -with -flags]

$ exec -c [command -with -flags]

$ exec -l [command -with -flags]

$ exec -a [name] [command -with -flags]

exec [options] [command] [arguments]

exec replaces the current shell process with the specified command without creating a child process. When exec completes, the shell session ends because the shell process no longer exists.
Built-in shell command commonly used in shell scripts and wrapper scripts.

-c

Execute with mostly empty environment

Pass command as login shell

Pass name as argv[0] to command

Shell built-in command. The shell terminates after exec completes. File descriptors can be redirected before exec. Used in init scripts and process management.

bash(1), sh(1)