How to pass data to a console program with multiple inputs?

juanbobo · 08-18-2005, 06:22 AM

The title may be a little unclear, but what I want to do is send data to a program that prompts the user several times. I was thinking to send a newline character at the end of each field, but that doesn't seem to work. How is this possible?

carl.waldbieser · 08-18-2005, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by juanbobo
The title may be a little unclear, but what I want to do is send data to a program that prompts the user several times. I was thinking to send a newline character at the end of each field, but that doesn't seem to work. How is this possible?

It depends on how the program is trying to retrieve the input. If it is just reading from stdin, your method out to work-- however, if it is a program like passwd that forces a read from the console, you might need something like an "expect" script.

juanbobo · 08-18-2005, 06:29 PM

Thanks a lot Carl, you answered my question. Also, how is it possible to automate inputting data into GUI fields?

carl.waldbieser · 08-18-2005, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by juanbobo
Thanks a lot Carl, you answered my question. Also, how is it possible to automate inputting data into GUI fields?

That is harder to do in some cases. It depends on the toolkit being used. With TK, I believe there is a "send" command you can use to automate applications. With KDE, you can use DCOP ("kdcop" is a good tool for exploring the interfaces). For other GUIs, your milage may vary. I do not know of a universal way to manipulate them.