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hashbang#!

08-04-2012 04:36 AM

[bash] pass argument containing spaces

In a shall script, I am building a parameter list for a later call:

Code:

opt="-option1 '60 0 50 0' -option2 ..."

...

convert $opt

problem: '60 0 50 0' needs to be passed as one parameter but it is split into four.

question: How can I force it to be recognized as one parameter?

set-up: GNU bash, version 4.2.20(1)-release (i486-pc-linux-gnu)

Chirel

08-04-2012 04:47 AM

Hi,

Code:

convert "$opt"

hashbang#!

08-04-2012 04:54 AM

Thank you Chirel, but this passes the WHOLE content of $opt as one parameter.

I just want '60 0 50 0' recognized as one parameter. My attempt to place it in single quotes does not do the trick.

What I need is:

Code:

{-option1}

{60 0 50 0}

{-option2}

414N	08-04-2012 05:03 AM

Are you really limited to bash-only?

grail

08-04-2012 09:39 AM

Go with an array:

Code:

opt=(-option1 '60 0 50 0' -option2 ...)

NevemTeve

08-04-2012 09:40 AM

Code:

eval convert $opt

hashbang#!

08-04-2012 12:46 PM

NevemTeve, eval was new to me and it does the trick.

grail: I am not quite sure what to do with the array:

Code:

$ convert ${opt[@]}

results in the parameters being split:

Code:

{-option1}

{60}

{0}

{50}

{0}

{-option2}

Thanks everyone for taking the time to respond. I certainly learnt something new.

grail

08-05-2012 08:32 AM

Well my understanding was that you wanted the individual items to stay grouped together:

Code:

opt=(-option1 '60 0 50 0' -option2 )



echo ${opt[0]}

-option1



echo ${opt[1]}

60 0 50 0

Not sure why you would use the @ which of course will display all items and when not quoted will suffer from word splitting.

hashbang#!

08-05-2012 08:58 AM

And how do I pass the array to convert?

Which Perth, by the way?

NevemTeve

08-05-2012 09:13 AM

convert "${opt[@]}" # untested

hashbang#!

08-05-2012 09:21 AM

That's what I described in post #7: it doesn't work; paramaters are split into words.

grail

08-05-2012 09:38 AM

Quote:

Which Perth, by the way?

Australia, not Scotland :(

Try adding quotes to the items required:

Code:

$ opt=(-option1 "'60 0 50 0'" -option2 )

$ echo "${opt[@]}"

-option1 '60 0 50 0' -option2

My original reading I thought you wanted to pass each item individually, ie not pass the entire line.

NevemTeve

08-05-2012 09:45 AM

Now I tested it, with quotes it does work:

Code:

$ opt=(-option1 '60 0 50 0' -option2 )

$ myecho -d -- ${opt[@]}

myecho -debug: 6 arguments:

  1: '-option1'

  2: '60'

  3: '0'

  4: '50'

  5: '0'

  6: '-option2'

$ myecho -d -- "${opt[@]}"

myecho -debug: 3 arguments:

  1: '-option1'

  2: '60 0 50 0'

  3: '-option2'

hashbang#!

08-05-2012 11:59 AM

OK, that's the array parameter passing sorted. Many thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by grail (Post 4746418)

Australia, not Scotland :(

At least you won't be eaten alive by the Scottish Highland midge!

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