how to read contents of file?


 
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# 1  
Old 10-23-2011
how to read contents of file?

I have made a script something like this. I want it to read the contents of either file or directory but 'cat' and 'ls' is not working. Can anyone help me? I am a newbie in scripting so dont know much about it. I also dont know how can i put my code separatly on this forum
Code:
#!/bin/bash

echo "Enter the filename:"
read FNAME

if [ -f $FNAME ]
then
	echo "It is a regular file."
	if [ -r $FNAME ]	
	then
		echo "The file is readable."
		echo "The contents of the file:" cat $FNAME
	else
		echo "Error: The file is not readable."
	fi

elif [ -d $FNAME ]
then
	echo "It is a directory"
	if [ -r $FNAME ]	
	then
		echo "The directory is readable."
		echo "The contents of the directory:" ls $FNAME
	else
		echo "Error: The file is not readable."
	fi


else
	echo "Error"
fi


Last edited by Scott; 10-23-2011 at 06:29 AM.. Reason: Added code tags
# 2  
Old 10-23-2011
Try this

Code:
echo "The contents of the file:" 
cat $FNAME
     else

instead of

Code:
echo "The contents of the file:" cat $FNAME
    else

Do the same for ls too.
Please use code tags for code & input/output samples.

Last edited by greet_sed; 10-23-2011 at 05:40 AM.. Reason: updated comment.
This User Gave Thanks to greet_sed For This Post:
# 3  
Old 10-23-2011
or
Code:
echo "The contents of the file:" && cat $FNAME
...
echo "The contents of the directory:" && ls $FNAME
...

--ahamed
This User Gave Thanks to ahamed101 For This Post:
# 4  
Old 10-23-2011
thx for the help guys.
what do i have to do if i want to display the contents of all files of that directory at once recursively?
# 5  
Old 10-23-2011
Code:
#find normal file and display
find . -type f | cat

--ahamed
This User Gave Thanks to ahamed101 For This Post:
# 6  
Old 10-23-2011
to display contents of all files:

Code:
find . -type f -exec cat '{}' \;

This User Gave Thanks to greet_sed For This Post:
# 7  
Old 10-23-2011
@greet_sed
once again thx!
can u explain me what is the reason behind of using "-exec"
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