command output to text file?

meniscus · 10-04-2006, 10:48 AM

Ive installed a package called smartmontools and i am attempting to write the op to a file in my home directory.

With the command

$sudo smartctl -a /dev/hda

evrything works fine. Its ops the info to the terminal

When i type

$sudo smartctl -a /dev/hda > /Home

It gives me an error...

bash: /Home: Permission denied

What am i doin wrong?

Thanks,
meniscus

tredegar · 10-04-2006, 10:54 AM

/Home is a file called Home in your root (/) directory. You probably aren't allowed to create a file there.
Try $sudo smartctl -a /dev/hda > /home/yourusername/filename

HTH

stress_junkie · 10-04-2006, 10:56 AM

The syntax that you are using means that you are trying to create a file named Home in the top level directory. Try this instead.

Code:

$sudo smartctl -a /dev/hda > $HOME/smartctl-output.txt

In my example I am using the environment variable HOME as the directory to write into. Then I am adding a file name to hold the output of the smartctl command. This will create a file named smartctl-output.txt in your home directory when you run the command.

meniscus · 10-05-2006, 03:40 AM

It worked! Brilliant! Thanks!

Is it possible for me to have that run periodically say every 5 mins without having to write the command in the terminal each time...like a daemon? Can you suggest any tutorials where i might learn how to do this?

Wim Sturkenboom · 10-05-2006, 05:29 AM

Check man crontab or check the internet for crontab tutorial