hi all,

I'm wanting to use csh (yes, csh) to build an array of variables similar to the argv command below:

#! /bin/csh -f
foreach i ($argv[-1])
@ argnum ++
echo '$argv['$argnum'], argument:' $i
end

which gives me variables for $argv[1], $argv[2], etc

But i want these to come from user input so that it does:

Enter list:
texta
textb
textc

or
Enter list:
texta textb textc

gives a set of variables for later use
${variable1}=texta
${variable2}=textb
${variable3}=textc

How can i replace argv with user input?
Thanks,

OK, looks like csh is a non-starter - Trying to do the same thing but with bash but as im unfamiliar with bash i need a little help.

I need to ask user for a list, take the replies and perform an action on each of them.

Enter list:
texta
textb
textc

or
Enter list:
texta textb textc


foreach $input
anotherscript $text[a-c]

can anyone help?
Thanks,

First of all, please use ***[code][/code]*** tags around your code and data, to preserve the original formatting and to improve readability. Do not use quote tags, bolding, colors, "start/end" lines, or other creative techniques.


I don't know much about csh and its variants, but I do know that it's not a good idea to use it for scripting, if at all. It just has too many parsing problems.

Top Ten Reasons not to use the C shell

(The site also has a more detailed primer on using the csh shell. Just go up a level.)


As for bash scripting, a much better choice , I suggest starting with the Bash Guide here:

http://mywiki.wooledge.org/BashGuide

Note that the bourne shell syntax and built-in features are quite different in many ways. There's no foreach, for example, just for.


In any case, loading an array from user input is quite easy:

You just need to specify some condition for exiting the loop.

Edit: Come to think of it, it can be even easier if the entries are all single words, and you want to enter them on one line. You only need a single read command with the -a option.

You can even set it up to use a different separator, if you don't want to worry about whitespace:

Fantastic David the H(ero)

Works a treat, clearly bash is the way to go. Thankyou

Hi david
ah, and to use these elements individually in a following script? how can i split the array ?

while read -r input ; do

[[ $input == exit ]] && break
array+=( "$input" )

done

script ${array[@]} will attempt to run the script on texta textb textc

do some kind of for statement?

Read all about arrays here:

How can I use array variables?
http://mywiki.wooledge.org/BashFAQ/005

In general, a simple for loop will do the job nicely.


We'll be here if there's anything you can't figure out for yourself.


(PS: Don't forget the code tags!)