dialog in the middle of a command
 

I am trying to learn a little more about writing bash scripts. .

I found how to use a dialog (kdialog) with a script by just invoking it or by using an if/then with the exit status of a command. But I have not found how to open a dialog that would be needed in the middle of a running command.

For instance running cp from a command line prompts me if "a file by the same name exists - overwrite?" of course the exit status is 0 no matter the choice of yes or no. (providing no other problems come up at the moment)

I have most likley looked at the answer in my searches but just did not understand.

The only thing I can think of myself (trying to use that tiny little brain again - almost never works:) )is to change the options to cp so that it exits when a file of the same name exists, use that exit status to open a dialog. Then use the exit status of that dialog to open a new instance of cp that has different options set depending on the exit status of the dialog.

Just a (strong) hint about what to look into to do what I am after would be great.

Thank you.

I woluld not rely on the error from cp, but test for the condition of a file existing at the destination before attempting the copy.

Thanks crabboy, makes sense.
I guess I was thinking that because cp already knows to ask the question there would be something built in for dialog to pick up on and pass along.



easylaterT