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Full Discussion: using variables when copying files
Operating Systems OS X (Apple) using variables when copying files Post 302636637 by hungryd on Monday 7th of May 2012 06:27:08 PM
Old 05-07-2012
using variables when copying files
smaller sample from a larger script: i'm simply trying to copy files from one desktop directory on a mac to another using variables. when i first test the logic of the script without variables, everything works and the copy is effective.

but i'm unable to call the same copy by passing a variable. script runs as root, FYI. much obliged if you can weigh in. hoping it's just a syntax error that i'm missing.

Code:
#!/bin/sh

oldWS="/Volumes/Lion\ BaseOS/Users/workstation"
newWS="/Users/workstation"

echo "Migrating any old Desktop files from $oldWS/Desktop..."
cp "${oldWS}/Desktop/*" "${newWS}/Desktop"
if [ $? != 0 ]; then
	echo "There was a problem migrating files from $oldWS/Desktop, PLEASE INVESTIGATE."
else
	echo "Files from $oldWS/Desktop have been moved to the new Mac."
fi

exit 0

i'm assuming that i've got a syntax error here but i can't see where. i use similar syntax in other scripts all the time...

thanks for whatever insight you might have to share.

david

---------- Post updated at 03:27 PM ---------- Previous update was at 03:20 PM ----------

forgot to mention the error i'm getting:

Code:
cp: /Volumes/Lion\ BaseOS/Users/workstation/Desktop/*: No such file or directory

which is odd as:
a) the directory does exist
b) when i run the cp manually and without variables, it's. just. fine.
 

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LEARN ABOUT DEBIAN

service

service(8)						      System Manager's Manual							service(8)

NAME

       service - run a System V init script

SYNOPSIS

       service SCRIPT COMMAND [OPTIONS]

       service --status-all

       service --help | -h | --version

DESCRIPTION

       service	runs a System V init script in as predictable an environment as possible, removing most environment variables and with the current
       working directory set to /.

       The SCRIPT parameter specifies a System V init script, located in /etc/init.d/SCRIPT.  The  supported  values  of  COMMAND  depend  on  the
       invoked	script.  service passes COMMAND and OPTIONS to the init script unmodified.  All scripts should support at least the start and stop
       commands.  As a special case, if COMMAND is --full-restart, the script is run twice, first with the stop command, then with the start  com-
       mand.

       service --status-all runs all init scripts, in alphabetical order, with the status command.

EXIT CODES

       service calls the init script and returns the status returned by it.

FILES

       /etc/init.d
	      The directory containing System V init scripts.

ENVIRONMENT

       LANG, TERM
	      The only environment variables passed to the init scripts.

SEE ALSO

       /etc/init.d/skeleton,
       update-rc.d(8),
       init(8),
       invoke-rc.d(8).

								     Jan 2006								service(8)
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