[SOLVED] pass a file name with space as single argument to script

sumeet inani · 08-25-2012, 12:50 AM

find . -type f -exec my-script '{}' ';'
where my-script has

Code:

ffmpeg -i $1 2> ~/file-codec-analysis.txt

The problem is when file name has 'space separated words' then $1 becomes only the first word.
What should I do so that $1 becomes 'file with many words'?

TobiSGD · 08-25-2012, 03:01 AM

Just quote the $1, like this:

Code:

ffmpeg -i "$1" 2> ~/file-codec-analysis.txt

sumeet inani · 08-25-2012, 10:03 AM

will try.

David the H. · 08-25-2012, 01:44 PM

As you've discovered, it's vitally important in scripting to understand how it processes arguments and whitespace. Read through these three links for a full description:

http://mywiki.wooledge.org/Arguments
http://mywiki.wooledge.org/WordSplitting
http://mywiki.wooledge.org/Quotes

The secret is generally to always quote your variables and other parameters. Never leave them off unless you know exactly what you're doing, and have some over-riding need for it.

sumeet inani · 08-26-2012, 12:25 AM

Thank you TobiSGD .
That worked fine .

BTW , I will surely read

Quote:

http://mywiki.wooledge.org/Arguments
http://mywiki.wooledge.org/WordSplitting
http://mywiki.wooledge.org/Quotes

as suggested by David the H..

I wonder - Have you guys done some certification course in linux OR is it that 'with experience comes knowledge' .
Also I would like to know how members become moderator , guru , senior member on this forum ? There must be some pre-requisites .

TobiSGD · 08-26-2012, 04:45 AM

Knowledge comes with experience and with reading, reading, reading.

To will automatically get the Senior Member label when you have 1000 posts and the Guru label (which can be changed to some other labels, like LQ Veteran) when you have 5000 posts.
To become a moderator here you have to attend a secret initiation ceremony after fulfilling the prerequisites, which are also secret.