[Solved] Help needed to have changing value to the command prompt string variable PS1


 
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# 1  
Old 04-25-2012
[Solved] Help needed to have changing value to the command prompt string variable PS1

Hi,

I am using git bash terminal window to do git operations. I have set the prompt string variable PS1 in the ~/.bashrc file as follows:
Code:
export PS1="[$PWD $(git branch | grep '*') $] "

This is intended to show me the current git branch's name which is active as part of the prompt string. But, the problem is when I do a git checkout command to change to some other branch in the terminal, this variable's value is not getting updated and still showing the old one.

Please help me with your suggestions.

Last edited by royalibrahim; 04-26-2012 at 02:50 AM..
# 2  
Old 04-25-2012
with this double quoting, look at PS1 after assignment:

Code:
$ PS1="[$PWD $(git branch | grep '*') $] "
[/home/mute  $] declare -p PS1
declare -- PS1="[/home/mute  \$] "

Your variables are expanded inside of a double-quote before assignment. If you escape the $ then it will be stored inside of PS1. You can also use single quotes to avoid expansion, but you have some in there so those are the 1 character you need to treat special inside single quotes:

Code:
$ PS1='[$PWD $(git branch | grep '\''*'\'') $] '
fatal: Not a git repository (or any of the parent directories): .git
[/home/mute  $]

Having a command execute for each prompt is a bit much. Also maybe you'd like to make it a function and handle those fatal errors in case you leave a git branch.

Code:
[/home/mute/code  $] PS1='[$PWD $(git branch 2>/dev/null | grep '\''*'\'') $] '
[/home/mute/code  $] cd Twitter.awk/
[/home/mute/code/Twitter.awk * master $]

et voila!?
This User Gave Thanks to neutronscott For This Post:
# 3  
Old 04-26-2012
Amazing.. truly mind blowing suggestion!! thanks a ton neutronscott Smilie, worked like a charm
 
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