Problem understanding line in script

snowman81 · 02-09-2008, 08:58 PM

So i have a script I got off the internet that I'm using for ideas and there is one line i don't understand:

Code:

/bin/passwd -n $PASSMIN -w $PASSWARN $USERNAME >/dev/null 2>&1

I understand most of it but the last part where it adds it to NULL or something, what is that about?

ta0kira · 02-09-2008, 09:42 PM

>/dev/null sends standard output to the trash and 2>&1 sends error output to standard output. /dev/null goes nowhere; it's where you redirect things you wish to ignore. Diverting standard error to standard output allows you to pipe it to another program, or the author could want all output from the script to go to the same place.
ta0kira

ta0kira · 02-09-2008, 09:42 PM

>/dev/null sends standard output to the trash and 2>&1 sends error output to standard output. /dev/null goes nowhere; it's where you redirect things you wish to ignore. Diverting standard error to standard output allows you to pipe it to another program, or the author could want all output from the script to go to the same place.
ta0kira

snowman81 · 02-09-2008, 09:58 PM

Ok, I think I got it. Thanks.