Yes, but the newly created directory is itself a sub-directory, so ls -R should show that. And we see in debug mode that it does execute, and outputs the pathname, but the output never makes it to the screen. But I tried it without the -R flag, and it still doesn't work:

Code:

$ ./newdir.ksh
Name a directory that ought to exist: Fun/Super/Duper/Pooper
Directory does not yet exist. I will make it so...
$

Now, I can use the -v flag in mkdir, but the mkdir man page suggests:
But, ok, it's not like my little exercise is gonna end up on another system. Nevertheless, I would like to know what I'm doing wrong - that is, why ls works in the second instance, (if the dir already exists), but not the first, (if it has to create the dir).

---------- Post updated at 12:59 PM ---------- Previous update was at 12:47 PM ----------

Yes, it works when the directory already exists, but not when it has to create the directory. Try using it to create a new directory and see if it works for you.

Mac OS 10.6.8
ksh 93