[SOLVED] Looking for guidance on generating an script to randomize the greetings file
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What "strange" side effects? The '-sf' options to 'ln' have never failed me so far.
That is my paranoid "side". Usually removing requires fewer permissions than this ln. But you are right, probably in a single user environment it is pointless.
As Nev' says, existing links pointing to directories can result in unexpected outcomes.
GNU's ln has the -n, or -T options to deal with this situation, but POSIX adherents will need to remove any existing link with rm -f prior to creating a new one to avoid this issue catching them out.
Getting back to OPs original question: I would have used the following for this job: random_mp3=$( printf "%s\n" *.mp3 | shuf -n 1 )
As Nev' says, existing links pointing to directories can result in unexpected outcomes.
GNU's ln has the -n, or -T options to deal with this situation, but POSIX adherents will need to remove any existing link with rm -f prior to creating a new one to avoid this issue catching them out.
Getting back to OPs original question: I would have used the following for this job: random_mp3=$( printf "%s\n" *.mp3 | shuf -n 1 )
Thank you very much.
So far I have NO PROBLEMS whatsoever, so I will stick with it.
but THANK YOU again!!!!!
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