Bash Script newbie

Konane · 11-17-2007, 12:52 PM

I'm a newbie to bash scripting but I need this ASAP and don't have time to learn all the syntax.

I need a script to list files and their types in a given directory in a manner:

DIR folder1
DIR folder2
LINK data
FILE a.txt
FILE b.txt
...so on

Finnaly it gives the number of each
Directories = 2 , files = 2 , links = 1

I know it is basicly like ls, but I will surely overcomplicate things if I try to make it on my own.

The second part is to make a directory tree, given the maximum depth as a parameter:
f.e. depth 2:
l--DIR folder
l--DIR folder2
l--FILE a.txt
l--LINK data
l--FILE b.txt

Directories = 2, files = 2, links = 1

etc.

Help would be most welcome.

gilead · 11-17-2007, 01:11 PM

The best advice would be for you to make time to learn the syntax instead of expecting us to do it for you "ASAP". It sounds like a homework question so I'd suggest you look at things like the man pages for stat, type and the advanced bash scripting guide.

brazilnut · 11-17-2007, 01:59 PM

That's class, and I thought(!) using slackware was a walk in the park! lol

pixellany · 11-17-2007, 02:42 PM

You posted a homework question in the worst possible way---it looks like you have simply copied the assignment sheet and there is no evidence of you having done any work.

What's worse, you say "you don't have time", but you somehow assume that we do........

You were already referred to the Advanced Bash Scripting Guide. I find it very useful to keep this on my system and use it for searches. Also at http://tldp.org you will find "Bash Guide for Beginners"

To the first question: I would think the "sort" command might be useful.

2nd question: Don't understand---do you mean create those file and directories? Look at the man pages for "mkdir", "touch", and "ln"

Konane · 11-18-2007, 04:35 AM

Hey I don't expect anyone to do it for me, I just want some quick tips which commands to use, because i don't have time to go through whole tutorials etc. Anyway, what would be the easiest way to save and then edit ls output, preferably without creating a file?

Thanks for answers.

pixellany · 11-18-2007, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Konane

Hey I don't expect anyone to do it for me, I just want some quick tips which commands to use, because i don't have time to go through whole tutorials etc. Anyway, what would be the easiest way to save and then edit ls output, preferably without creating a file?

Thanks for answers.

You can save any data in one of two places: a file or in memory.
ls > filename (puts it in "filename")
varname=`ls` (puts it in a variable "varname")

I strongly suggest that you stop telling us that you "don't have time". In fact, your next question would best be in a new thread with a completely different tone to to it---and showing what you have tried, and where you are getting stuck.

Konane · 11-18-2007, 06:40 AM

Ok, so I want to edit the output like this

Folder1/ Folder2/
output.txt* script.sh* script.sh~*

into

Folder1 DIR
Folder2 DIR
output.txt FILE
script.sh FILE
script.sh FILE

or something similar. I've tried using sed command to substitute characters, but when I try to substitute / I get an error. And how do I put newline after each word(stupid, I know)?

pixellany · 11-18-2007, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Konane

Ok, so I want to edit the output like this

Folder1/ Folder2/
output.txt* script.sh* script.sh~*

into

Folder1 DIR
Folder2 DIR
output.txt FILE
script.sh FILE
script.sh FILE

or something similar. I've tried using sed command to substitute characters, but when I try to substitute / I get an error. And how do I put newline after each word(stupid, I know)?

If things are separated by spaces, and you want newlines, do this:

sed 's/ /\n/g' filename

If you want to replace the "/" character, you need to escape it, or use a different character for the sed delimiter.

Here is my favorite sed tutorial: http://www.grymoire.com/Unix/Sed.html

jschiwal · 11-18-2007, 11:25 AM

If you also want to classify directory entries, it would be better to process the output of "ls -l". You can use either sed or awk to do the processing. AWK might be better because you can also tally the total space as well, or output all of the directory listings before all of the file listings.

Code:

ls -l /var
total 48
drwxr-xr-x  9 root  root  4096 2007-11-11 06:37 adm
drwxr-xr-x 18 root  root  4096 2007-11-11 09:16 cache
drwxrwxr-x  3 games games 4096 2007-11-11 06:03 games
drwxr-xr-x 39 root  root  4096 2007-11-18 07:02 lib
drwxrwxr-t  5 root  uucp  4096 2007-11-17 19:14 lock
drwxr-xr-x 10 root  root  4096 2007-11-18 06:56 log
lrwxrwxrwx  1 root  root    10 2007-11-11 05:48 mail -> spool/mail
drwxr-xr-x  2 root  root  4096 2007-09-21 14:18 opt
drwxr-xr-x 20 root  root  4096 2007-11-18 00:15 run
drwxr-xr-x 12 root  root  4096 2007-11-11 06:05 spool
drwxrwxrwt  5 root  root  4096 2007-11-18 10:48 tmp
drwxr-xr-x  3 root  root  4096 2007-11-11 06:01 X11R6
drwxr-xr-x  3 root  root  4096 2007-11-11 06:18 yp

The first letter indicates whether the entry is a file "-", a directory "d" or a link "l".

Most of the commands such as ls, mv, cp, ln, etal. are provided by the coreutils package. It's info manual can be helpful in learning these commands.

Konane · 11-18-2007, 12:46 PM

Thanks very much, that helped a lot. Didn't notice that the first letter stands for the type