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Full Discussion: What's the best way to check file permissions before moving files if needed?
Top Forums Shell Programming and Scripting What's the best way to check file permissions before moving files if needed? Post 303036876 by Cacializ on Monday 15th of July 2019 04:15:21 PM
Old 07-15-2019
Quote:
Originally Posted by jim mcnamara
You should ALWAYS check user input - consider it toxic if that helps.
This is something I always do. Like I said, the variables contain the path to existing directories. They're checked before using the mv, but I skipped that part in order to focus on the permissions question.


Quote:
Originally Posted by jim mcnamara
You should ALWAYS check user input - consider it toxic if that helps.

If you use linux the -empty test works for what you want - you do not mention your system or shell
You're right, I'm sorry I didn't mention it. My shell is Bash, and I use GNU coreutils, but the script is meant to be POSIX-compliant, hence the use of the single square bracket test.


Quote:
Originally Posted by jim mcnamara
You can also use the ls command more globally

Code:
if [ -z "$(ls -A $directory)" ]; then
   echo "Empty"
else
   echo "Not Empty"
fi

I know this is off-topic, but this is also one of the cases I don't know what the best practice is, because the standard states that the -A "writes out all directory entries, including those whose names begin with a <period> ( '.' ) but excluding the entries dot and dot-dot (if they exist)". But then there's the HP-UX ls, where "for a user with appropriate privileges, this flag defaults to on, and is turned off by -A". What should I do in this case?


Quote:
Originally Posted by MadeInGermany
In order to move a file the directory is modified i.e
must be writable. The file permissions do not really matter, while in an interactive shell the mv might become interactive i.e. ask.
So either test
Code:
if [ -w "$directory" ] && [ -w "$destination" ]
then
  mv -v ... "$destination/"
else
  echo "dir not writable!"
fi

Or make them writable
Code:
if chmod u+w "$directory/" "$destination/"
then
  mv -v ... "$destination/"
else
  echo "dir not writable"
fi

A trailing / will automatically follow a symlink and test for a directory.
The chmod and the -d test always follow a symlink.
(Nevertheless the chmod targets should have trailing / to ensure they are not files.)
The -v (verbose) option can be captured in a file or a variable.
I see. But if the variables are checked with [ -d "$directory" ] && [ -d "$destination" ], the railing slash is not needed, right?
 

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