Timestamp strings are useful in generated names when the value is provided explicitly. This keeps the script reproducible and the name predictable.

Program

Play the script to choose the timestamp and see the generated artifact name.

timestamp_name_plan.sh
#!/usr/bin/env bash

stamp=
prefix="backup"
name="$prefix-$stamp.tgz"
echo "$name"
#!/usr/bin/env bash

stamp=
prefix="backup"
name="$prefix-$stamp.tgz"
echo "$name"
timestamp A timestamp label records a specific instant-like value.
UTC suffix `Z` conventionally marks a UTC timestamp string.
reproducible name Passing the timestamp in makes the script output predictable.