Shell Programming and Scripting

Hi,

I am very new to shell scripting and I need to create a shell script that would keep track of inventory from a csv file. So if someone orders something online the program will subtract that item that way they can't sell more than they actually have. I have no idea where to begin like I said I am extremely new to shell scripting. Any help is very much appreciated.. Thank you.

Not knowing shell script... well one must start one day if working on UNIX... but what else do you know then ? not knowing a language is still OK while you have at least an idea in pseudocode or have algorithmics notions...

I know quite a bit about programming just not shell scripting. Java programming is my specialty.

Are you the one saying you need to do it in a shell script or is this part of the requirements? The reason I ask... with you being new to scripting I'm already thinking of many different "red-flags" of things you would need to account for that would be an interesting endeavor for anybody new to scripting.

i.e. multiple incoming requests

If you have a good knowledge of *nix and the tools that are generally bundled with the OS. Then, ok, it's just syntax and you'll probably be able to figure it out considering you have some programming experience.

Otherwise, I'd write something you could run out of tomcat that you could use to interface with a database (not saying it can't be done with a shell script, it would just be more familiar to you) or use it to control your file i/o in a stricter fashion.

Just my humble opinion and speaking from past experience, many times I've gotten over my head because I wanted to try something new and didn't reuse my current tools/repertoire.

It is part of the requirement unfortunately. They want a shell script that updates inventory every 5 minutes from a csv file. Thank you for your honest opinion. I took on this project because I figured with my past experience in java it wouldn't be that difficult but there are many other things to account for.

Do you have the 'flock' utility available?

No I don't have the flock utility available. I'm not sure what that is.