# or - conditionally execute a command

## Synopsis

    COMMAND1; or COMMAND2

## Description

`or` is used to execute a command if the previous command was not successful (returned a status of something other than 0).

`or` statements may be used as part of the condition in an and or while block.

`or` does not change the current exit status itself, but the command it runs most likely will. The exit status of the last foreground command to exit can always be accessed using the $status variable.

The -h or --help option displays help about using this command.

## Example

The following code runs the `make` command to build a program. If the build succeeds, the program is installed. If either step fails, `make clean` is run, which removes the files created by the build process.

    make; and make install; or make clean

## See Also

- and command