How does one create a file named "filelist" under another file without adding itself?

For example, "ls > filelist" will make that list, but will include itself in the actual list. I'm trying ot do it where it excludes itself, any help would be much appreciated!

Hi,

Welcome to LQ!

An ls|tee filelist for instance will avoid that.


Cheers,
Tink

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Thank you so much! I will try both of these option, as you can see, I am brand new to linux! lol

How would I add a title line "***Filelist***" at the beginning of that same file?

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I'm going to try echo "***Filelist***" > filelist, or some variations of that and see what happens....

Just read your reply, thanks!! Is there a way to make it at the beginning of the file "filelist"?

If you run it before the ls command, it will causes ls to include the output file into the list. Furthermore, take in mind that there is no chance to run ls and redirect the output to a file without listing the file itself, because when you launch the command, the first thing accomplished by the shell is to create an empty output file (before the ls command is actually executed). On the other hand, the command
causes the shell to expand the wildcard with the name of the files placed in the current working directory, before any other task, included the creation of the output file. This is the way the shell works.

---------- Post added 03-10-11 at 22:08 ----------

It does exactly what you're looking for. Have you tried it?

Ah! I mean that I'd like to exclude filelist form adding itself to the filelist, but in it's place I'd like to include a file named ***Filelist*** to it that is visible at the top inside of the filelist.

I kind of almost got it with the echo attempt, but it was listed third. When I removed the file (rm) and recreate it with ls |tee , it seems to re-add the ***Filelist*** file to it, which is interesting, but this is a good way to learn, by doing. lol

Well I removed the ***Filelist***, now trying to find a way to add ***Filelist*** that to the top of the filelist.

I was close with the echo, it was third or so on the list rather than at the top though. lol

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@Tinkster: on my system the tee solution adds the output file name to the list:
You sure it doesn't happen on your system?

@Quest ion: what does prevent you from running these two commands in sequence?
If I correctly understand, you want to add the string "***Filelist***" at the beginning of the output file. The suggested sed command should take care of it.

It worked!!! Thank you so much, that was extremely helpful! I was wrestling with this one for a long time!

Positive. Maybe my box is slower than yours?! :)


Cheers,
Tink

Yes, maybe! I've tried many times the same commands and sometimes it works as you describe, sometimes not. Maybe it's really a matter of the time required by the ls command to retrieve its output..