the command yes

BackwardsDown · 11-19-2005, 07:21 AM

hi,
I am using debian with window maker

I was just wondering about the terminal/console (how do you name that black box where you can typ commands?:P)

when I typ the word yes in my terminal, it says
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
.etc

and that keeps going on, I can just click it away but what is the command yes exually?

Haystack · 11-19-2005, 07:34 AM

Well I never use it, but I think it could be useful when you pipeline a configuration or install script with 'yes', all questions will be answered with 'y' automagically...

BackwardsDown · 11-19-2005, 07:35 AM

ah, sounds logical

eddiebaby1023 · 11-19-2005, 04:18 PM

It was originally invented (I think) for such programs as fsck in early UNIX systems, which ran interactively and demanded confirmation of each change it wanted to make.

BTW, you can also get it to say no:

Code:

$ yes no
no
no
no
no
no
....

It'll echo any arguments ad infinitum.