Shell Programming and Scripting

Hi folks. I know this is going to be one of those ones where I just need to stick a bracket or a single quote somewhere to fix, but it's killing me to try and work out why it's failing.

This is the part of my script that isn't working properly:

Code:

ssh serverx "touch -t $(date +%Y%m%d)${HOURMINVAR} file1;
          if [ `find file2 -newer file1` ];
          then echo 'Message 1';
          else echo 'Message 2'; fi;"

And this is the message when you run it:

Code:

find: cannot access file1
dlam@serverx's password: $

As you can see, for some reason if is performing the "find" command before it performs the "ssh" bit. It works fine if I use single quotes instead of double quotes around the commands, but then obviously ignores the $HOURMINVAR variable so it uses the incorrect values for the "touch" part.

So...is there a way I can send the variable using a single quote around the whole command - or can anyone see where I am going wrong with the "find" command when wrapped in double quotes?

Hope that makes sense. Thanks in advance!

Code:

ssh serverx "touch -t $(date +%Y%m%d)${HOURMINVAR} file1;
          if [ `find file2 -newer file1` ];
          then echo 'Message 1';
          else echo 'Message 2'; fi;"

Any variables and such are being substituted before the string gets transmitted, that includes backticks. You can escape them like so:

Code:

ssh serverx "touch -t $(date +%Y%m%d)${HOURMINVAR} file1;
          if [ \`find file2 -newer file1\` ];
          then echo 'Message 1';
          else echo 'Message 2'; fi;"

Ha - that's ridiculous! I was sure I'd tried escape characters there as part of my whole afternoon trying to get it working. But I've done what you suggested and it's worked perfectly.

Corona688 I could kiss you (if it wasnt for the restraining order)

Thanks very much for your help. Case closed.