Shell Script -- problem reading backslash(\)!!

rossi143 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-01-2007

Hello! I am writing a program that reads a bunch of arguments from the command line,then read information from a file(passed as one of the arguments) and do some computation. The problem I am facing is when a backslash(\) is present as one of the arguments, suppose $ myprog \ abc xyz,the backslash is completely ignored, for the previous example $1 is "abc" where as it should be "\", I have tried using double-quotes("$1") but it still stays the same. The problem is the same when I am reading from a file the backslash character is completely ignored as if it were a space or a tab.
How can I prevent htis and read "\" as it is? Your help will be greatly appreciated.

reborg · #2 (**permalink**) 04-01-2007

either use two, or use single quote:

Code:

$ set -- \\ abc
$ echo $1
\
$ set -- '\' abc
$ echo $1
\

cfajohnson · #3 (**permalink**) 04-04-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by rossi143

Hello! I am writing a program that reads a bunch of arguments from the command line,then read information from a file(passed as one of the arguments) and do some computation. The problem I am facing is when a backslash(\) is present as one of the arguments, suppose $ myprog \ abc xyz,the backslash is completely ignored, for the previous example $1 is "abc" where as it should be "\", I have tried using double-quotes("$1") but it still stays the same. The problem is the same when I am reading from a file the backslash character is completely ignored as if it were a space or a tab.
How can I prevent htis and read "\" as it is? Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Use the -r option:
Code:
read -r VAR

More UNIX and Linux Forum Topics You Might Find Helpful
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
reading XML datas via Shell Script	freepal	Shell Programming and Scripting	1	02-08-2008 11:52 AM
reading data from excel using shell script	tiger99	Shell Programming and Scripting	11	01-06-2008 01:35 AM
reading command output from shell script	sri b	Shell Programming and Scripting	4	11-16-2006 12:52 AM
Reading a table in a shell script	luiscarvalheiro	Shell Programming and Scripting	13	08-10-2006 06:16 PM
Reading a CSV file into shell variables problem	multidogzoomom	Shell Programming and Scripting	6	10-11-2005 04:43 PM

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


	Powered by