[SOLVED] Shell Script - Use variable in a for loop with directory path

Tech109 · 01-19-2011, 09:52 AM

I modified files in several directories, and need to run a diff on the backup I created before modifying the file.

I'm trying to compose a simple shell script to speed up the task, but getting a syntax error.

Here is what I have:

for i in DIR1 DIR2 DIR3 DIR4 DIR5 do;
diff /maindir/subdir/subdir/$i/filename.txt.old /maindir/subdir/subdir/$i/filename.txt;
done

I know the paths are valid, and if I run just the diff command with the actual DIR1 instead of $i it works.

Any suggestions as to what I'm missing?

Thanks in advance.

AlucardZero · 01-19-2011, 09:57 AM

Posting the exact error text you get would help..

You have a misplaced semicolon.

Code:

for i in DIR1 DIR2 DIR3 DIR4 DIR5; do
diff /maindir/subdir/subdir/$i/filename.txt.old /maindir/subdir/subdir/$i/filename.txt;
done

Tech109 · 01-19-2011, 10:22 AM

Thanks much! I was initially entering this line by line and thought the problem was with using the variable in the middle of a path within the script.

Of course, as usual, when I am banging my head against the wall trying to figure out why something isn't working...turns out to be a simple oversight/sytnax error/typo!