Command Line Help

tired · 03-25-2004, 05:25 AM

I use a command on a semi regular basis thats a bind to type out. Is there a way of automating it? I'm not familiar with programming or scripting so any pointers would be great. I've currently saved it as a text file and paste it in when required, but to be able to just type a shortcut for it like ls or whatever would be great.

Thanks

:RoB:JoB: · 03-25-2004, 05:29 AM

so you have it in a file, I'll call it "text". Wouldn't

./text

do it?

That is, typing ./text at the comand prompt. You could have the file in your user's directory under home, and then all you'd have to do is open a terminal and type ./text. Your file might resemble this:

cd Desktop/YourFolder/YourPathYouMightNeed
<Your stuff you do>

I don't know for sure if that works, and I bet it's not the best way either. I'm a newbie too, I'm just trying to give back.
robjob

jschiwal · 03-25-2004, 07:00 AM

You will want the first line of the script to indicate which shell you are using.

For example for bash:
#!/bin/bash
If your script takes a parameter, use '$1' as the parameter.

Then after you save the script, you need to make it executable with the command:
chmod u+x <filename>

You could also create a directory called 'bin' in your home directory and add the path in your ~/.bash_profile file. This file is executed when you log-in.

That is what I did with mine:

Code:

# .bash_profile

# Get the aliases and functions
if [ -f ~/.bashrc ]; then
	. ~/.bashrc
fi

# User specific environment and startup programs

PATH=$PATH:$HOME/bin

export PATH
unset USERNAME

jeffreybluml · 03-25-2004, 10:37 AM

hmmm, can't you just make a alias for it in /etc/bashrc? For instance...

alias do_it='whatever really long command you have to type'

and then type "bash" (no quotes) at the command line to re-source your bash script...

Or perhaps I just don't understand the problem at hand...

Good luck!

tired · 03-25-2004, 12:01 PM

Thanks for the replies.

I was able to use the alias option and it works a treat

tired · 03-25-2004, 12:34 PM

Just when you thought it was safe.......

For some reason when I log off the alias is lost, typing bash at the prompt has not done the job, is this a peculiarity of SuSe??

jeffreybluml · 03-25-2004, 02:00 PM

sounds like perhaps you're not using a bash shell. I am a total newbie, so I am not familiar with any other shells. Nor am I familiar with Suse.

Do you have any idea what kind of shell you're using?

If I understand correctly, the alias worked at some point. Could you detail what you did when you created the alias, what you did right after creating it that made it work, and finally what you did between the time it worked and when it stopped working.

I'll do my best to help...

Good luck...

tired · 03-25-2004, 02:32 PM

cheers mate.

i did exactly as you posted.

i'm sure i'm using bash. it just seems that the alias only works until i close the terminal. when i try again bash reports that the command is not found. there must be a file somewhere that needs altering but i don't know which one.

Tinkster · 03-25-2004, 02:47 PM

No need to be grumpy ...

A) there's the bash history ...
Ctrl-R and starting to type a part of the command will
bring it back.
B) You can put the alias definition in ~/.bashrc
or ~/bash_profile (whichever is appropriate on
your machine)

Cheers,
Tink

tired · 03-25-2004, 03:59 PM

I'm always clicking on the wrong one, sorry.

I'll try that thanks again

jschiwal · 03-26-2004, 04:56 AM

The ~/.bash_profile command is executed when you first log on. ~/.bashrc is executed when starting an interactive shell. You probably want to add the alias definition in ~/.bash_profile so that it is available as soon as you log on.

If you want the alias defined for all users. Then add the alias definition to /etc/profile.d/bash.sh.

tired · 03-26-2004, 06:23 AM

Thanks for all this help.

I can find bash.bashrc but not bash_profile. I found profile.d but theres no bash.sh, there. Can I simply make one?

Tinkster · 03-26-2004, 04:05 PM

Yep, you can.

tired · 03-28-2004, 08:50 AM

erhm, i think you know whats coming now........

how do i do that, is it a simple text file?

DrOzz · 03-28-2004, 09:04 AM

well you can do 1 of 2 things ... or both i guess ...
we'll pretend your using vim as your text editor so if you type :
vim .bashrc
and then you save that file, then it will be there ...

or you can simply type from a prompt :
touch .bashrc

and it will be there, obviously with nothing in it ...
and then you would have to open it and add whatever it is you want ..