UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Hi,

I hav created a script that calls a sub-script. In both the scripts i called the configuration file. Now i wanted to use a variable that should be used in both script and sub-script files. Actually, i wanted to return a file name and the return status to the script file from the sub-script.

I hav used export in both script n sub-script but its' not working

How can i solve the same

Swapna,

Try this:

Code:

. subscript #### Note the usage. It is "dot whitespace scriptname"

Whatever variables are set by the subscript can then be used in the script.

HTH,

Regards,

Praveen

this is called sourcing a script ..

in ksh/bash shell you can just do with
. <file name>

in c shell

source <file name>

but my sub-script is containing some levels of actions and if those actions fail i need to return the status to the main script which is done but along with return status i need to send the filename as well. which is not existing on the system

In your context there is no such thing as a global variable.
The calling script and the sub-script can use variables with the same name but they are not the same data stores.

Two ways round the problem: I prefer the first method.

1) Create a temporary file in the calling script and pass the name of the temporary file to the sub-script as a parameter. In the sub-script write the reply values to the temporary file. Read the reply values back in the calling script. Delete the temporary file.

2) If the only output from the sub-script is the reply values, just echo the values in the sub-script and capture them in the calling script.

Code:

#!/bin/ksh
# calling_script
sub_script | read reply1 reply2
echo "The sub-script replied ${reply1} ${reply2}"


#!/bin/ksh
# sub_script
.... Processing ...
echo "${status} ${reply_filename}"

By using environment variables you can share the data.

are you calling same config file in both scripts ? if yes then why ?? why cant you just call/export config file in main script so that all variables are available in main as well as in sub-script. i am assuming you want to use variables from config file. correct me if i am wrong.