Shell Programming and Scripting

Why do you need an "overwrite" option? What do you want to overwrite?

Why would you need find?

To copy $FILENAME into $SAVEPATH, you use:

Code:

cp "$FILENAME" "$SAVEPATH"

:
if [ -d $DIRECTORY ];

You should quote the variable:

Code:

if [ -d "$DIRECTORY" ]

It looks at whatever is specified in "$DIRECTORY".

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmd9qs

i guess i just don't know what i'm doing. I thought i'd need an 'overwrite' option because of output i have recieved from programs before... thinking about it now, i guess it was a silly question, seeing as the filename has a timestamp on it ...

What does the timestamp have to do with it?

press_enter
        echo ""
        echo ""
        echo "Where would you like the new .tar.gz archive for $FILENAME stored?"
        echo -n "(just specify a directory with / at the end, filename is automatic) >  "
        echo ""
        read SAVEPATH
        if [ -z $SAVEPATH ]; then
                echo "No directory specified. Exiting..."; exit 1;
        fi
        if [ ! -d $SAVEPATH ]; then
                echo -n "$SAVEPATH does not exist. Would you like to create it? (y/n) >  ";
                read $answer
                        if [ "$answer" != "y" ]; then
                                echo "O.K. Exiting..."; exit 1;
                        fi
        fi
        echo "Making directory $SAVEPATH..."
        mkdir $SAVEPATH
        echo ""
        echo "$SAVEPATH created..."

Put mkdir inside the if statement.

i guess nothing. i appreciate the help you've provided, but comments like that are not constructive. perhaps you can explain why the timestamp has nothing to do with overwriting files... obviously i don't know. otherwise, i prefer you just not answer at all. i'm looking for help, not to be talked to condescendingly.

Quote:

 if [ ! -d $SAVEPATH ]; then
                echo -n "$SAVEPATH does not exist. Would you like to create it? (y/n) >  ";
                read $answer
                        if [ "$answer" != "y" ]; then
                                echo "O.K. Exiting..."; exit 1;
                        else
                                echo "Making directory $SAVEPATH";
                                mkdir $SAVEPATH;
                                echo ""
                                echo "$SAVEPATH created.";
                        fi
        fi

That was a serious question intended to make you think about it, rather than leaving you with a wrong idea that could break one of your scripts.

And as for "explain why the timestamp has nothing to do with overwriting files", there is nothing to explain. Why would you think they do have anything to do with it?

 if [ ! -d $SAVEPATH ]; then
                echo -n "$SAVEPATH does not exist. Would you like to create it? (y/n) >  ";
                read $answer ## not read $answer

Code:

read answer

                        if [ "$answer" != "y" ]; then
                                echo "O.K. Exiting..."; exit 1;
                        else
                                echo "Making directory $SAVEPATH";
                                mkdir $SAVEPATH;
                                echo ""
                                echo "$SAVEPATH created.";
                        fi
        fi

obviously i misinterpreted you. i apologize (sometimes intent isn't too clear when dealing with text online )

as far as the timestamp issue goes, I see your point (i think): the timestamp is added AFTER the $SAVEPATH is chosen, thus really not affecting the $SAVEPATH at all. the reason i (thought) i wanted an "overwrite" option is because i dont have much free HDD space... i want to backup my important data, but can't afford to store each backup.

fixing

Code:

read $answer

to

Code:

read answer

fixed the issue. thanks again for your help.