test to see if useradd worked - Shell Programming and Scripting

doublejz · #1 08-26-2005

I am trying to write a script that does a useradd -G <group> <user> but you cannot modify the user if he/she is logged on. How could I check to see if the user is on or if the user has been added to the group successfully? I plan on having the script sleep for a couple mins if the user is on then attempt to add the user to the group again.

Perderabo · #2 08-26-2005

useradd sets the exit status. So just check the exit status as you would for any other well designed program.

vertigo23 · #3 08-26-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perderabo

useradd sets the exit status. So just check the exit status as you would for any other well designed program.

To elaborate on that, bash (if that's what you're using) will let you use an IF statement to check exit status in a very readable way:

Code:

if useradd <args>; then
  do stuff
else
  do other stuff
fi

Sergiu-IT · #4 08-27-2005

Hi !
In addition to what vertigo23 and perderabo said, you can check the $? variable. This will tell you the error code returned by the last command (in your case, useradd). If the result is 0, then the last command exited without any error. If it tells you something else, check the manual pages or google to see what it means.

More UNIX and Linux Forum Topics You Might Find Helpful
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
TAHI Test Suite 3.0.13 (IPv6 Conformance Test Tool branch)	iBot	Software Releases - RSS News	0	04-06-2008 09:20 AM
Keithley Introduces Linux-Based RF Parametric Test Systems - Test and Measurement.com	iBot	UNIX and Linux RSS News	0	07-23-2007 07:30 AM
Variables being worked on inside of loops	yongho	UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers	7	06-13-2005 08:42 AM
useradd	dorilevy	UNIX for Advanced & Expert Users	2	10-18-2004 11:15 PM

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode