Bashscripts.org

Hi guys, I do a lot of moving/copying between two different locations. I usually move folders though.
I was wondering how I can construct (or preferably, if someone could do it for me) a script to do this:

a & b are 2 different paths (ie: /home/user/storage) and each question is asked one by one.

Description [default option]: Actual Command
//////////////////////////////////////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
List files in a folder [y]? //(sudo ls -la a) #Options: [y/n]
List files in b folder [y]? //(sudo ls -la b) #Options: [y/n]
Copy or move [m]: //(sudo cp -R) or (sudo mv -f) #Options: [c/m]
(a to b) or (b -> a) [a]: //(a -> b) or (b -> a) #Options: [a/b]
Name of folder: //User enters the name of folder.
/////////////////////////////////////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXAMPLES:
user@server:~$ ./bash_file
List files in a folder [y]? [ENTER]
//lists contents of location 'a'

List files in b folder [y]? [ENTER]
//lists contents of location 'b'

Copy or move [m]: [ENTER]
(a to b) or (b -> a) [a]: [ENTER]
Name of folder: BLAH
//runs (sudo mv -f a/BLAH b/.)
user@server:~$

- or -

List files in a folder [y]? [n]
List files in b folder [y]? [n]
Copy or move [m]: [c]
(a to b) or (b -> a) [a]: [b]
Name of folder: BLAH

End Result would be the same as running this command:
sudo cp -R b/BLAH a/.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks.

Just curious: have you looked at rsync for doing this sort of backup?

Yeah, I have rsync. The reason I am using the script is because I have mainly 2 directories (on my machine) between which I do a lot of transfers. I know nothing about bash, but I looked up some references online and this is what I've come up with. My biggest problem is when I have a folder which has spaces in the name. I can't figure it out. This is what I have so far:



I know it's crude but it works (for the most part).

When I enter a folder name with multiple words, it doesn't work (ex: "Edited Files"). I know why, and I've tried to fix it about a dozen times, but I haven't been successful. I know I can rename the folders, but I will only do that as a last resort.

Thanks again.

CHANGE to



That should probably take care of that.

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, when I tried it (I entered "Edited Files" as my folder) I received:

cp: cannot stat `../shared/Edited': No such file or directory
cp: cannot stat `Files': No such file or directory

I need to add a "\" before each space. How can I do that?

Thanks.

please post your code as it is now
especially since you have made changes....
crouse's suggestion should have worked...
i'd like to see the whole thing, so i can try and figure the error out

Here it is. The only thing I changed from the original code was what he suggested.
This error is a common in linux. For example, if I wanted to move a folder called
"Edited Files" from /shared to /ftp, I'd have to enter this command into terminal:
sudo mv -f /shared/Edited\ Files /ftp/.

If I have just this:
sudo mv -f /shared/Edited Files /ftp/.

(with no backslash before the space), linux would treat is as 2 separate folders.
My problem getting my bash script to insert a backslash before any special character
(spaces, parenthesis, etc.).

Here is my current code:



<edited by jbsnake>
if you notice above you don't have ${FOUR} quoted... which is what crouse was saying to do
that is why you are getting the broken arguments...
if you change the above from reading ${FOUR} to "${FOUR}" it will be fixed without the need of adding any \ anywhere.
</edit>

Thanks.

bump

Genius. I tend to miss little things like that.
Thanks a lot for your help guys, I really appreciate it.

no problem... just glad we could help