perl pl and sh files

jazman · 05-31-2006, 07:39 PM

I need to execute a script on a linux machine via a cron scheduler.

I currently have a .pl script file which I can run on my Win xp box with a perl interpreter.

This linux setup has specified it can only run .sh script files.

Can I just rename the script file to .sh, or is there considerable difference between these 2 file types?

Tinkster · 05-31-2006, 07:49 PM

Hi, and welcome to LQ!

sh is a shell-script, pl is a perl script. If the
linux machine doesn't support perl there's nothing
you can do to make the perl-script run. You can try
to re-write it in bash.

Cheers,
Tink

jazman · 05-31-2006, 08:20 PM

Hi there

The linuz box has a perl interpreter on it.. however it says it will only run .sh files....

does this makes sense

Tinkster · 05-31-2006, 08:21 PM

Not reallly ... who owns the box?

peter72 · 05-31-2006, 08:55 PM

Write a quick bourne shell script to call the perl script.

Code:

#!/bin/sh
/usr/bin/perl /home/peter/bin/myspecialscript.pl
exit 0

jazman · 05-31-2006, 08:58 PM

Hi there,

Its a commview box..linux firewall sort of thing

The manual has a bunch of examples of scripts that can be run.

all start with #!/usr/bin/perl

but the file name for the script is file.sh

any thoughts

jazman · 05-31-2006, 09:06 PM

Thanks Peter and tinkster for the prompt replies. will try this one out.

Cheers
ill keep you posted

dinojerm · 05-31-2006, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazman

all start with #!/usr/bin/perl

If the scripts contain that as the first line, they will be interpreted by perl when executed; they are probably actually perl scripts. While the .sh extension usually signifies sh shell scripts, if a perl script is named that way, the perl script will be executed.
Although it seems strange for the system to require .sh extensions,
you should be able to run your perl script as long as its first line is #!/usr/bin/perl

timmeke · 06-01-2006, 02:27 AM

Indeed, the restriction on .sh extensions for executable programs is ridiculous.
Linux doesn't really care about file extensions (unlike Windows).
The fact that the system can run Perl scripts (since it has the necessary interpreter) under a "fake" file extension, proves that the restriction isn't effective.

dannybpng · 06-04-2006, 07:13 AM

To run the file from a cron job just add the command like what peter72 suggested into the cron file and the perl interpreter will run the script.

/usr/bin/perl /home/peter/bin/myspecialscript.pl

FYI
The #!/usr/bin/perl as the first line of a file is interpreted by the shell script interpreter (sh,bash,... that is prompting for a command) when the command is typed at the prompt. The file is then passed to the specified program (/usr/bin/perl in this case) to execute. You can use whatever command interpreter you need. This gives you the ability to mark a file as executable (chmod u+x ...) put it in the PATH and when you type that command at the prompt it will run.