Using variable in ls command


 
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# 1  
Old 07-14-2009
Using variable in ls command

I am in /home/aaa path and trying to list all the files in different directory - the path to this directory is lengthy. For example: aa/bb/cc/dd/ee/ff/gg/hh/ii/jj... and also the path will change dynamically.

HEnce I capture the directory path in a variable. How to use this variable in ls command.

The variable is $dir_name

I currently have ls $dir_name out_* | wc -l

To list all files starting with "out_" from directory in variable "$dir_name".

This is not working. Please advise.

Thanks!
# 2  
Old 07-14-2009
How about posting the error you get, and how you declared that variable?
"It's not working" doesn't really help.

I will tell you though, if the path is "changing dynamically" your variable is not going to mean anything once the path changes.
# 3  
Old 07-14-2009
I will enter the directory path and capture it in a variable. When I execute this command, i get the message " ls $dir_name out_* | wc -l" command not found.

Thanks1
# 4  
Old 07-14-2009
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sangtha
I am in /home/aaa path and trying to list all the files in different directory - the path to this directory is lengthy. For example: aa/bb/cc/dd/ee/ff/gg/hh/ii/jj... and also the path will change dynamically
Code:
mydir=$(find /home/aaa -type d)
for i in $mydir;do ls $i;done

# 5  
Old 07-15-2009
Code:
ls $dir_name/out_*

# 6  
Old 07-15-2009
Thanks danmero!

But the directory path that I want to list is in the root.
I am currently in /home/aaa
the files that want to list is in /aa/bb/cc/dd/ee/ff/gg....
any help?
Thanks!
# 7  
Old 07-15-2009
This works, no need to know your location.
Code:
dirname="/aa/bb/cc/dd/ee/ff/gg"
ls $dirname/out_* | wc -l

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