script 'prompting with timeout' question

WindowBreaker · 03-09-2006, 12:28 PM

I know how to have a bash script prompt a user and save it in a variable.

Code:

#!/bin/sh
echo -n "Please enter your name: "
read $NAME

The question is how to do so with a timeout period (let's say 5 seconds), after which the variable can receive some default value.

Thanks for any suggestions.

dive · 03-09-2006, 12:37 PM

NAME="somedefault"
read -t secs NAME

If NAME has a value before prompt and timeout occurs it will keep same value

WindowBreaker · 03-09-2006, 12:44 PM

Dive:
Thanks for the reply. I tested it and it works great.