[SOLVED] what is lighter on the system, variable calls, or full path in BASH script?

lleb · 05-30-2012, 07:30 AM

example:

Code:

#!/bin/bash
OLD=/tmp/old
LOCAL=`pwd`
cp -Ravf $OLD/foo.* $LOCAL

or

Code:

#!/bin/bash
LOCAL=`pwd`
cp -Ravf /tmp/old/foo.* $LOCAL

This is just an example, but if i were to use the 2nd option to copy say 30-40 specific files/types of files would that be lighter on the system, then the option with 1 variables, or does it really matter. typically this would be run ONCE on a system to transfer data from old computer to new.

pan64 · 05-30-2012, 07:37 AM

in case you want to copy 30-40 files (or less than a few thousands) it does not matter at all.
variables are used to write better scripts (which can be handled easier)

schneidz · 05-30-2012, 09:40 AM

variables are stored in ram.

lleb · 05-30-2012, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan64

in case you want to copy 30-40 files (or less than a few thousands) it does not matter at all.
variables are used to write better scripts (which can be handled easier)

let me be more specific, there can be thousands of files, but we are talking file type extension, etc... like .dat and .idx from the data base, etc...

if it really does not matter, then ill leave it in simple plan text without creating any functions, or what not.

Thank you both.

pan64 · 05-30-2012, 12:45 PM

I think it really does not matter, copying files will take much more time

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suicidaleggroll · 05-30-2012, 12:47 PM

The variable expansion is only performed once on the call to copy, it doesn't matter how many files are actually copied. If you're only calling the copy 30-40 times, then you're only doing the variable expansion 30-40 times, and it will have no effect on the speed of the process. If this was inside a high speed loop that was iterating thousands/millions of times in a matter of seconds, then it might start to make a difference, but the copy itself will use FAR more time than the variable expansion in this case, so it'll make no practical difference.

lleb · 05-30-2012, 12:53 PM

fantastic, thanks all.