How to use shell script?

chhorvorn · 08-20-2008, 07:50 PM

my shell script is always refuse with me when I try to write it.
I don't know how to use shell script could you guid me some point.
I am very glad to see your reply.
thans

shuuhen · 08-20-2008, 09:00 PM

What shell is it written in? What's the exact error you get when trying to run it? Make sure it has the executable permission set for the user or group trying to run it.

There's a couple of guides to bash shell scripting on tldp.org. Check under Guides. There should be both an Advanced Bash Scripting and a Bash for Beginners.

lensman3 · 08-21-2008, 09:04 PM

Shell scripts need execute permission to run. Add "chmod +x <script.sh>" where <script.sh> is you script name. If the script is in the same directory you are trying to execute it from, you must prepend the script name with "./" or "./script.sh". The reason for this is that the current working directory (CWD) is not in the PATH as it is automatically for DOS. It is considered a security hole to have the CWD in the PATH. To see what your path is type :"echo $PATH". If you do CWD add it at the end and make it a . (dot).

You can execute a script without setting the execute bits by typing: "sh ./script.sh". This will execute it script. For debugging run it as "sh -x ./script.sh" or "sh -v ./script.sh" or "sh -vx ./script.sh". When the script is debugged move it to your ~/bin directory and add the execute bits.

The first line of the script is usually the engine that is going to run the script. If it the sh shell it is usually "#!/bin/sh". The #! IDs the file to be executed by the sh shell. Likewise for bash, csh, perl etc.

Go looking through /usr/bin at the various scripts that are there.

Hope this helps.

08-20-2008, 07:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
chhorvorn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: cambodia Posts: 1 OS: XP SERVICE PACK II	How to use shell script? my shell script is always refuse with me when I try to write it. I don't know how to use shell script could you guid me some point. I am very glad to see your reply. thans

08-20-2008, 09:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
shuuhen Manager Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 981 OS: Mac OS 9.1, Mac OS X 10.5.8, WinXP Pro, FreeBSD 6.0, Gentoo Linux My System	Re: How to use shell script? What shell is it written in? What's the exact error you get when trying to run it? Make sure it has the executable permission set for the user or group trying to run it. There's a couple of guides to bash shell scripting on tldp.org. Check under Guides. There should be both an Advanced Bash Scripting and a Bash for Beginners. __________________ Has it been a few days since I replied to your thread? Don't panic! I'm a busy college student and may forget a post if I'm extra busy (or it might just take me a while to be able to do a decent reply). If you still need help and are awaiting my reply after a few days, PM me about it. When posting what errors you get, please give the full message. It makes helping you much easier.

08-21-2008, 09:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
lensman3 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Littleton, Colorado USA Posts: 470 OS: xp 64 sp2 Fedora Core 8 (vmware xp core 8 x32) Minix	Re: How to use shell script? Shell scripts need execute permission to run. Add "chmod +x <script.sh>" where <script.sh> is you script name. If the script is in the same directory you are trying to execute it from, you must prepend the script name with "./" or "./script.sh". The reason for this is that the current working directory (CWD) is not in the PATH as it is automatically for DOS. It is considered a security hole to have the CWD in the PATH. To see what your path is type :"echo $PATH". If you do CWD add it at the end and make it a . (dot). You can execute a script without setting the execute bits by typing: "sh ./script.sh". This will execute it script. For debugging run it as "sh -x ./script.sh" or "sh -v ./script.sh" or "sh -vx ./script.sh". When the script is debugged move it to your ~/bin directory and add the execute bits. The first line of the script is usually the engine that is going to run the script. If it the sh shell it is usually "#!/bin/sh". The #! IDs the file to be executed by the sh shell. Likewise for bash, csh, perl etc. Go looking through /usr/bin at the various scripts that are there. Hope this helps.