[SOLVED] shell redefine the command akak alias

DBabo · 11-21-2012, 12:49 PM

a quick question for bash guru:

how to redefine the built in command without in the script?

example:

Code:

#!/bin/ksh

echo=$(echo -e)
echo "\t Doesn't work"

the desired result is to be able to use "echo -e" every time i type "echo" in the script.
I do NOT want to specify alias in the .rc just want to have it local to the script.
Thank you
AZ

oliverg · 11-21-2012, 01:11 PM

have you tried

Code:

alias echo = 'echo -e'

rest of script
...
..
.
cd
. .bashrc

i believe this should set the alias then restore your original shell when you finish!!

hope i helped

Edit: Oops just realised your using ksh. well thats how i think youd do it in bash, translate that to ksh you should be good

VDP76 · 11-21-2012, 01:16 PM

hi,

I am no bash guru and maybe you have already tried this, but I'll give it a try...does the following command, written at the beginning of your script, do the trick!?

Code:

alias echo='echo -e'

DBabo · 11-21-2012, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oliverg

have you tried

Code:

alias echo = 'echo -e'

rest of script
...
..
.
cd
. .bashrc

i believe this should set the alias then restore your original shell when you finish!!

hope i helped

Edit: Oops just realised your using ksh. well thats how i think youd do it in bash, translate that to ksh you should be good

Thank you. But it's a pain to re-run rc just to get rid of echo -e.

DBabo · 11-21-2012, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VDP76

hi,

I am no bash guru and maybe you have already tried this, but I'll give it a try...does the following command, written at the beginning of your script, do the trick!?

Code:

alias echo='echo -e'

Thank you - i tried that - no luck.
I should be explicit tho:
it works in the sense it defines the "echo -e", BUT "echo -e" remains defined after script ends.

ahh. And moment of truth was right there in front of my fingers. Here is the current solution:

Code:

#!/bin/ksh
alias echo='echo -e '

<blah>
unalias echo
# EOF

Thank you!