Shell Programming and Scripting

Hi,

I'm porting an install script from AIX to Red Hat (2.6.18-164.el5 #1 SMP)

I have this script working in both AIX and HP-UX.

The script is a wrapper for a Micro Focus Server Express install program. It responds to the install program questions with a here-now list. Responses includes y, n, strings and a return. It looks to see if the software has already been installed and uses 2 different sets of responses.

The code for the here-now:

When I run this in Red Hat it fails. It seems to confuse the shell when it sees a blank line as it seems to dump the rest of the list and loops on a missing response.

Here is the failure point.



It responds correctly to the first 2 "y"s in the list. When it hits the blank line (return) is seems to accept a return but it grabs the remaining list of responses so the install program loops waiting for a response.

I've tried a blank line, multiple blank lines, a line with a blank character, /n and /r. Nothing seems to work.

Any help would be appreciated.

Mike

Probably you might be better off using "expect".

Anyway, to enter a literal "ENTER key" open your scripts file in vi.

- Position the cursor where you want to enter the <ENTER> key and use "i" to go into insert mode.

- Then enter <CTRL>-<V>, which makes vi accept the next character as literal. Press the <ENTER> key then, which should result in a "^M" appearing on the screen.

- Press <ESC> to switch back to command mode and save. You're done.

Notice, that "^M" is not two characters (caret and "M"), but one. You will see that when you go over it with the cursor.

I hope this helps.

bakunin

bakunin,

I tried your suggestion. No luck.

I stripped down the script to the single command for the here-now install:

Code:

 
sh ./install << HERE 
y 
y 
 
y 
n 
y 
n 
y 
64 
n 
n 
HERE

Still no luck.

Any other ideas?

Thanks

Mike

What happens if you replace the blank line with "continue"

Code:

sh ./install << HERE 
y 
y 
continue
y 
n 
y 
n 
y 
64 
n 
n 
HERE

No change with continue

---------- Post updated at 10:52 AM ---------- Previous update was at 10:38 AM ----------

I tried continue and return (yes, desperation beginning to show...)

This construct does not work:



Don't start another shell:

Code:

./install <<EOF

EOF

This is the actual script where I removed the shell:

Code:

 
cd /opt/lib/cobol 
 
./install << EOF 
y 
y 
 
y 
n 
y 
/opt/lib/mflmf 
y 
n 
y 
64 
n 
n 
EOF

It runs and seems to process the first 2 responses correctly. When it reaches the point where it wants a return it seems to get confused.

This is the end of th elist generated:

Code:

 
Do you agree to the terms of the License Agreement? (y/n): 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When you press return you will be shown details of the reference 
environment (and any compatibility environments). 
 
Please press return when you are ready: 
y 
n 
y 
/opt/lib/mflmf 
y 
n 
y 
64 
n 
n 
--More--(Next file: docs/env.txt)

It used the y for the question about license. The next line is the blank. It starts to display the env.txt file but it doesn't wait. It lists the remainig responses (for the next questions) and waits. If I cancel it loops on the next question after the return. It appears to be getting a response that it doesn't want.

Code:

 
Please confirm your understanding of the above reference environment 
details (y/n): Please enter y or n 
 
Please confirm your understanding of the above reference environment 
details (y/n): Please enter y or n 
 
Please confirm your understanding of the above reference environment 
details (y/n): Please enter y or n