[Script] How to catch the output of a command to a variable?

thomas2004ch · 07-27-2012, 02:44 AM

Hi,

In my BASH-script I want to catch the output of whoami to a variable. How to do that?

Thomas

druuna · 07-27-2012, 02:52 AM

Code:

variable="$(whoami)"

The $( ... ) part is what you are looking for. It executes the command (whoami in this case) in a sub-shell. Output is stored in variable.

thomas2004ch · 07-27-2012, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by druuna

Code:

variable="$(whoami)"

The $( ... ) part is what you are looking for. It executes the command (whoami in this case) in a sub-shell. Output is stored in variable.

Hi,

At the moment you answer my question I also found another solution:

Code:

user=`whoami`

Which one is better?

druuna · 07-27-2012, 03:01 AM

People used to use `<command>`, nowadays $(<command>) is preferred.

Have a look here: http://mywiki.wooledge.org/BashFAQ/082

David the H. · 07-27-2012, 11:47 AM

bash already has a preset $USER variable with the current user's name in it, by the way.

The bash man page section for "Shell Variables" lists several others that store commonly used environment parameters.

thomas2004ch · 07-30-2012, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David the H.

bash already has a preset $USER variable with the current user's name in it, by the way.

The bash man page section for "Shell Variables" lists several others that store commonly used environment parameters.

This is even a better way.