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Passing alias to a function

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# 1  
Old 11-20-2012
Hammer & Screwdriver Passing alias to a function
The objective of this function is to validate the file full path.

Code:
cat /dev/null > crontab_NOTEXISTS.txt

function File_Existence # Accepts 1 parameter
{
file_name="$(echo $1)"
echo "${file_name}"
[ -f $file_name ] && break || echo "$file_name NOT FOUND" >> crontab_NOTEXISTS.txt
}

while read file_name
do
  File_Existence ${file_name}
done < crontab_FILELISTS.txt

The problem is that, when the file directory is denoted by an alias, in this example $ORACLE_HOME=/oracle/ora9.2, the function would accept the $ORACLE_HOME as a raw string rather than an alias.

So, how do I solve this problem?

Let's say I have this in my crontab_FILELISTS.txt:
Code:
$ORACLE_HOME/test1.text
/oracle/ora9.2/test1.text

The file exists and both directory also valid. But if I run the script, it will output:
Code:
$ORACLE_HOME/test1.text NOT FOUND

Please help.

Thank you.
# 2  
Old 11-20-2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by aimy
$ORACLE_HOME
is your $ORACLE_HOME defined before you call your script.

You should define this variable first.

try sth like this.

Code:
[ -f $(eval echo $file_name) ] && echo pass || echo fail

# 3  
Old 11-20-2012
First, you need to make sure ORACLE_HOME is known to the script by exporting it.
Second, try this in the script: eval File_Existence ${file_name}
You may know that the use of eval can be unpredictable and dangerous and is discouraged by some people in this forum.

@pamu: Congrats, you were faster!

Just for info - you are using a shell variable. An alias is sth. different, see man page
Last edited by RudiC; 11-20-2012 at 05:21 AM.. Reason: Info on alias/variable
# 4  
Old 11-20-2012
Hi aimy!
First, I think it's not necessary to do an "echo" in file_name.
As Rudic says you must to export you ORACLE_HOME first. Then you only have to pass the name of file to function. For example:
Code:
cat /dev/null > crontab_NOTEXISTS.txt 
export ORACLE_HOME="..."


function File_Existence # Accepts 1 parameter 
{ 
file=$ORACLE_HOME/$1 
echo "${file}" 
[ -f $file ] && break || echo "$file NOT FOUND" >> crontab_NOTEXISTS.txt 
}  
while read file_name
do   
     File_Existence ${file_name} 
done < crontab_FILELISTS.txt

I don't know the format of file and if ORACLE_HOME is in crontab_FILELISTS.txt, if ORACLE_HOME is in file then erase $ORACLE_HOME/$1, just use $1.
Last edited by danielos; 11-20-2012 at 06:56 AM..
# 5  
Old 11-21-2012
Hi all.

Thanks a lot for helping.

FYI, the $ORACLE_HOME is already set in the profile.

In fact, if I issue this command, it will work fine..
Code:
File_Existence $ORACLE_HOME/test1.text

So, where did I went wrong?

Thank you.

---------- Post updated at 02:56 PM ---------- Previous update was at 08:46 AM ----------

Anyone? Smilie

I've tried manipulating the script so many times but to no avail Smilie

Please help.

Thank you.
# 6  
Old 11-21-2012
Have you tried using eval...?
# 7  
Old 11-21-2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamu
Have you tried using eval...?
Sorry.. Seems that eval has solved my problem.

I just worried when Rudic said that it is dangerous.. Smilie

Honestly, I did not know anything about eval all these while.

Thank you very much.
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