need help with symbolic link to shell script

scottsteibel · 08-01-2003, 05:47 PM

In order to include a new program in the path. I tried to use ln -s to make a symbolic link to a shell script. I seem to make the link in /use/local/bin, but it won't run the program. I noticed the owner of the link file is 12533 group 116. This shows up on the shell script itself..I tried using chown to no avail. I did make a symbolic link to an executable (first one) and that is working. Any suggestions...thanks, Scott

Corin · 08-01-2003, 06:45 PM

1) What is the path to the executable binary or shell script you want to run?

2) Where do you want to put the symbolic link?

3) What are the contents of your PATH environmental variable?

jailbait · 08-01-2003, 06:50 PM

You may need to use chown's --dereference option. Read man chown to find all the ins and outs of using chown with symbolic links.

scottsteibel · 08-02-2003, 05:17 PM

Actually, I think my question is even more basic than, I thought. So let me rephrase: I have installed a modeling program (starlogo) in /usr/local/starlogo2.0.2/starlogo-unix. the script file starlogo-unix should run the program. Indeed it does, but only if I run it from the shell while I am in the directory /usr/local/starlogo2.0.2. I runs with out the ./ If I type the command from any other directory, even with the ./ it won't run.

If I click on the file icon that shows up in konqueror in the /usr/local/starlogo2.0.2 directory. I can't find the file. If I try to make a linking icon on the desktop (which is what I really want to do) that will give me the same file not found routine.

Why does this script file run from the shell, but not the icon in konqueror.

Sorry to be so long winded, I'm just trying to post a complete question. Thanks for any help you can be, Scott

jailbait · 08-02-2003, 07:40 PM

"I noticed the owner of the link file is 12533 group 116. This shows up on the shell script itself..I tried using chown to no avail."

Log in as root and use chown to change the ownership of both
/usr/local/starlogo2.0.2 and /usr/local/starlogo2.0.2/starlogo-unix to root:root.
Also use chmod to set the permissions of /usr/local/starlogo2.0.2/starlogo-unix to 555 if it is not already so that users other than root can execute it.

"Why does this script file run from the shell, but not the icon in konqueror. "

If you get your ownership and permissions straightened out it will probably run from konqueror.

"If I type the command from any other directory, even with the ./ it won't run. "

If you are in the /usr/local/starlogo2.0.2 you can start the command with ./starlogo-unix. ./starlogo-unix means run startlogo-unix from the current directory. If you are in any other directory then you need to give the full path name: /usr/local/starlogo2.0.2/starlogo-unix

"If I try to make a linking icon on the desktop (which is what I really want to do) that will give me the same file not found routine. "

When you set up the desktop icon the command that you want to run is: /usr/local/starlogo2.0.2/starlogo-unix

As an alternative, after you use chown and chmod to straighten out the ownership and permissions you could put a symbolic name on the PATH such as:

ln -s /usr/local/starlogo2.0.2/starlogo-unix /bin/starlogo-unix

If you want to know what directories are on the PATH then enter:
echo $PATH

scottsteibel · 08-02-2003, 08:00 PM

thanks for the suggestions......I'll work on it in the morning. Another questioin if I may....I kinda messed up by posting this question in another new thread, how do I delete the new thread from this forum. Thanks again

jailbait · 08-02-2003, 08:05 PM

I just use the edit button to change the second post to a corny joke.

scottsteibel · 08-02-2003, 09:40 PM

Thanks Steve.....I'm gonna try your suggestions now..why wait till the morning..........can you suggest a good book to help a newbie like me. I've go the o'reilly running linux book, but some how I just struggle for hours with this stuff....although I am learning.

scottsteibel · 08-02-2003, 11:11 PM

Linux hates me.......I tried changing the ownership and permissons.......first to root:root, then root:bin....then desperation set in so what the hell...I went for scott:users. I did this in both directories. No luck with the Konqueror Icon....no luck with the desktop icon.

By the way when I type the full path from any directory, it give me the file not found thing. Will only run from /user/local/starlogo-2.0.2/ directory. NOw with or with out the ./ I really just want an icon on the desk top so my students can access the program in September. I really don't want them in anything but their home directories.