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UNIX head command not working?

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Homework and Emergencies Homework & Coursework Questions UNIX head command not working?
# 8  
Old 12-15-2014
Have you tried?
# 9  
Old 12-15-2014
All the directories I try have files in them.

I'm not sure what to do for binaries as I am fairly new to unix.
# 10  
Old 12-15-2014
What I meant was did you try
Code:
 tail -2 <directory>

What do you get for an output?
RudiC post is also relevant:
A hint: where in the submitted code do you use $2?...
# 11  
Old 12-15-2014
I get this
Code:
-bash: syntax error near unexpected token `newline'

I am new to unix as I said so I am guessing the arguments need to be in order
e.g.
$#
$1
$2
etc
# 12  
Old 12-15-2014
Please scrutinize both the assignment and your code snippet:
- a directory is supplied as a parameter, but the files in that dir are to be headed/tailed
- $# is the count of the parameters supplied to a script/function
# 13  
Old 12-15-2014
Unix - Special Variables

Read carefully...


My question about $2 was quite clear you know
All command have man pages, they are to be used time by time...
The commands can have different behaviour depending of your OS (which we dont know...) specially when a command is for text/data file and you submit binary...
# 14  
Old 12-15-2014
Right I understand what the special variables do.

I now get what you were talking about with $2, I only just realised I haven't actually used it.

However I still don't understand why it is not working?

It is required to be entered as this in the command line:

lshead head/tail 2 Documents
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