code explanation


 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Top Forums Shell Programming and Scripting code explanation
# 1  
Old 04-18-2010
code explanation

Can you please explain the following code plz?

Code:
my_cd=' '
while getopts :e: OPTION;
do 
  case "$OPTION" in
    e) my_cd ="$OPTARG";;
  esac
done
 
if [ -z "my_cd"] ; then
  echo " >>> ERROR - I am wrong"
  echo " >>> ERROR - Hello"
  exit 99
fi

What I don't understand is what is OPTION or OPTARG...is this unix thing or ...but I believe e is generated as a code...plz help I need to understand this to proceed?

THanks in advance

Last edited by Scott; 04-18-2010 at 07:57 AM.. Reason: Please use code tags
# 2  
Old 04-18-2010
Java some reading

getopts is a (nice) way to get the options given on commandline.

The best explanations and examples i know is there : Linux tip: Bash parameters and parameter expansions
# 3  
Old 04-18-2010
Frans,

Thanks for your answer. But can you please explain me the code...i hardly use unix until i really require too so pretty out of touch. Thanks again for your help.
# 4  
Old 04-18-2010
For better comprehension, code must be surrounded by code tags (use the '#' in the editor)
Code:
my_cd=' '
# getopts must be used in a loop to look for matches between command line options and the options string.
while getopts :e: OPTION # for each iteration, put the value of command lione option in the variable OPTION
do
    case $OPTION in
        e) my_cd ="$OPTARG" ;; # puts the value of OPTARG in my_cd
              # OPTARG is the string following the option in the command line
              # Example : myscript -e /home/user 
              # The script will detect the option -e and put "/home/user" in OPTARG
    esac
done
 if [ -z "$my_cd"] # if that string is blank ($ to get the value of the variable)
then
    echo " >>> ERROR - I am wrong"
    echo " >>> ERROR - Hello"
    exit 99  # quits with error code 99 (0 would be no error)
fi

Login or Register to Ask a Question

Previous Thread | Next Thread

10 More Discussions You Might Find Interesting

1. Shell Programming and Scripting

ksh code explanation

Hi. Can somebody please explain the following lines of KSH code for me? The code checks all sub directories in a specific location which are numbered (E.g. test_01, test_02 ... etc.), then finds the one with highest number and extracts that number from the dir name into the variable num. I'd just... (9 Replies)
Discussion started by: user052009
9 Replies

2. Homework & Coursework Questions

Minix 3 Source Code Organisation Explanation

1. I've been asked to provide a detailed description on how Minix's source code is organised. This may sound slightly simple, but what exactly am I to refer to when explaining? Any documents that would provide assistance to understand whats being asked? Thanks 2. Not applicable: 3.... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: Menace12
1 Replies

3. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Code explanation?

I need someone to tell me how exactly works the following code αfter /etc/passwd :eek:: cat /etc/passwd|grep "^:"|sed '1,$s/^\(*\):*:\(*\):.*$/ \1 \2 /'|sort -nrk3 -t:I want a good explanation to understand the code please (4 Replies)
Discussion started by: kotsos13
4 Replies

4. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Explanation of NAWK Code

Hi all, I need your help in understanding the meaning and syntax of the below nawk line. Here is an extract of a script which I use daily and works well. The script extracts the hostnames and messages within a syslog file. I would also like to extract the message time in the 3rd column by... (2 Replies)
Discussion started by: wthomas
2 Replies

5. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

In need of explanation

Its great someone provided this script that strips out a filename and extension but can someone explain how each line works? file1='Jane Mid Doe.txt' newfile='Jane.txt' 1) ext=${file1##*.} 2) filename=${file%%.???} 3) set -- $filename 4) newfile="1.$extension" (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: Lillyt
1 Replies

6. Homework & Coursework Questions

Please help with the following fork code..with complete explanation

I have the following piece of codes. Please explain it to me in great detail how are these codes working. 1. #include <stdio.h> int main(){ int x; x=0; while (x<2 && fork()){ if (!fork()) execlp("echo","x++","x",0); x++; system("echo x+x"); } } 2. #include <stdio.h> int i;... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: prakashabii
1 Replies

7. Shell Programming and Scripting

nawk code explanation

Hi I have a line/command which greps certain pattern () from the file and 22 lines AFTER that: nawk '/\/{c=22}c&&c--' input_file Can somebody explain the coding in this command (what " c&&c-- " does)? and how to modify this command to output 22 lines BEFORE this pattern () Thanks a lot ... (3 Replies)
Discussion started by: aoussenko
3 Replies

8. Shell Programming and Scripting

AWK deifnition and some small code explanation

Could someone give me a quick simple explanation for the AWK command. And also help me to explain the code i have made. I have made some general comments about it myself. I was wondering if people could help me with the rest: awk -F'' 'END { fmt = "%-20s\t%s\t%s\n" ... (0 Replies)
Discussion started by: amatuer_lee_3
0 Replies

9. Shell Programming and Scripting

tr explanation please

how does below tr command replace nonletters with newlines? I think I understand tr -cs '\n' part.. but what is A-Za-z\' <--- what is this?? tr -cs A-Za-z\' '\n' | -c --complement -s, --squeeze-repeats replace each input sequence of a repeated character that is... (0 Replies)
Discussion started by: convenientstore
0 Replies

10. Shell Programming and Scripting

Need explanation for the syntax(code)

Hi I am new to shell script programming... want to know the process of the following: if then echo "$0: missing argument for option(s) :$MISSINGOPTARG" echo "usage" $USAGE" exit 1 fi (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: chandhar
1 Replies
Login or Register to Ask a Question