How do I get the name of latest file?

Hangman2 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-02-2009

1) How do I get the name of latest file in a variable?

2) Is it safe to delete all files from a dir

I am doing

cd $dir_name

if return_code > 0
rm *
fi

what are other alternates to delete all files from a dir in a shell script?

joeyg · #2 (**permalink**) 01-02-2009

answering #1

Code:

ls -ltr | tail -1

will give you all info on the most recent file in the current folder

Code:

ls -ltr | tail -1 | awk '{print $9}'

will give you just the filename

Code:

MYFILE=`ls -ltr | tail -1 | awk '{print $9}'`

will put that filename into $MYFILE

for #2
normally not best to cd then rm, better to

Code:

rm \dir\folder\*

or similar.
Seen too many examples where the cd failed, and then all files were deleted or some other command executed.

pludi · #3 (**permalink**) 01-02-2009

Yes, deleting all files from a directory is safe... until you inadvertently hit a system directory and your config/essential programs go bye-bye.
To get the newest file, issue a VAR=`ls -tr1|head -n 1`

Hangman2 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-02-2009

Thanks

matrixmadhan · #5 (**permalink**) 01-03-2009

Quote:

will give you all info on the most recent file in the current folder
Code:

ls -ltr | tail -1 | awk '{print $9}'

tail not needed

just this would do

Code:

ls -lrt | awk 'END{print $9 }'

jaduks · #6 (**permalink**) 01-03-2009

Code:

To print the last field of last line
$ ls -lrt | awk '{ f=$NF }; END{ print f }'

This also works sometime
$ ls -t1 | head -n1

More UNIX and Linux Forum Topics You Might Find Helpful
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
get latest file	inquirer	Shell Programming and Scripting	4	04-02-2009 11:15 AM
ftp command to get latest file	laiko	UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers	2	05-14-2008 06:10 AM
Read the latest file	wereyou	UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers	3	02-10-2008 12:12 AM
Getting latest file from ftp	arunavlp	UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers	3	02-08-2008 10:19 AM
get latest file via ftp command	alx	Post Here to Contact Site Administrators and Moderators	2	01-26-2006 11:44 AM

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