bash file test

haxcess · 03-26-2006, 09:28 AM

I'm trying to write a script that will look for a file and then tell me if the file exists, and if it is a directory or just a file.
Here's my script:

Code:

echo "What is the file name you are looking for?"
read filename
echo "Searching for $filename..."
# We will only be working on the first file found
foundfile=`find /home/alex/ -name "$filename" | head -n1`

if [ -e $foundfile ]; then # If the file exists
   if [ -d $foundfile ]; then # If it is a directory
      echo "$foundfile is a directory"
   else
      echo "$foundfile is a file"
   fi
else
   echo "No file named $filename could be found."
   echo "Try modifying your search criteria and run again."
fi

The problem: If the file doesn't exist, I'm told that it's a directory.

Code:

alex@leet:~/school/OpSysII/lab6$ ./ifthen.sh
What is the file name you are looking for?
sfdasfdasfdasfdkljoiux8o88
Searching for sfdasfdasfdasfdkljoiux8o88...
 is a directory

In this special instance, $foundfile contains the single hex character 0A, so why does bash think newlines are directories? Can anybody tell me why my script is broken?

Thanks for any help!
haxcess.

berbae · 03-26-2006, 11:09 AM

you should write
if [ -e "$foundfile" ]
and
if [ -d "$foundfile" ]

haxcess · 03-26-2006, 11:34 AM

It's the little nuances that always get you in trouble..
Thank you so much!

haxcess.