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Old 02-08-2012, 07:58 AM   #1
Mixiul
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Registered: Jan 2012
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Bash - Creating Arrays using loop counter


I am writing a bash script where I need to create arrays inside a for loop and name each array using the string contained in the counter (an array element) each iteration.

Here is the code:

Code:
myArray=( joe bob dave mark )


for k in "${myArray[@]}"
do
  "$k_array"=( `cat fileUsedToPopulate.txt` )
done

# echo to test if one of the arrays has been created and populated

for j in "${joe_array[@]}"
do
  echo $j
done
The desired result is 4 arrays, joe_array bob_array etc, each populated with the file.

However I haven't found anyway to escape the $k so that it appends to the array name when declaring/populating it.

Here is the error I am getting:
Code:
line 30: syntax error near unexpected token `cat fileUsedToPopulate.txt' 
line 30: "$k_array"=(cat $DIR/$braDir/oem.txt` )'
Thanks for any help provided.

Last edited by Mixiul; 02-08-2012 at 09:04 AM.
 
Old 02-08-2012, 08:32 AM   #2
millgates
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It's most likely because variable $k_array does not exist, so after substitution, the line actually reads

Code:
=( `cat fileUsedToPopulate.txt` )
which is a syntax error.
 
Old 02-08-2012, 08:45 AM   #3
David the H.
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The real problem is that this is an example of indirect/variable variable use, and it can't be done directly in the way you want. There are ways to go about it though. See this link for a full discussion.

http://mywiki.wooledge.org/BashFAQ/006

I highly suggest, if possible, looking into redesigning your workflow to use associative arrays instead. But without seeing the larger context of your script it's hard to say if that's the best choice.
 
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Old 02-08-2012, 08:56 AM   #4
millgates
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The real problem is that the OP is trying to use a non-existing variable $k, when it's clearly supposed to be $i. After fixing that, and possibly also using {}, then it's going to be a problem of indirect variables. :P
 
Old 02-08-2012, 09:05 AM   #5
Mixiul
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Quote:
Originally Posted by millgates View Post
The real problem is that the OP is trying to use a non-existing variable $k, when it's clearly supposed to be $i. After fixing that, and possibly also using {}, then it's going to be a problem of indirect variables. :P
Typo ^^ Thank you for your replies.
 
  


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