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Shell Programming and Scripting

rm $(filename)*

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# 1  
Old 12-19-2006
rm $(filename)*
hi ,

rm -f $(filename)*

removes ,not only $filename* but all the files in the directory .Why??
Imagine I have scripted for some one and a half hour and all the files are removed. F Smilie rustrated ..really .

regards,
sakthi
# 2  
Old 12-19-2006
Code:
rm -f ${filename}*

# 3  
Old 12-19-2006
Hi sakthi,

Straight forward one really. By using the ( ) brackets you imply that $filename is a command, when infact it is a variable. rm will complain that it's an invalid command and ignores it, thus executing rm -f *

As vgersh99 showed the correct format is to use the curly braces { }

Perhaps this advice comes a little too late but when ever I write scripts that contain any form of the rm command I always take a snapshot of my virtual machines. I know this might not be achievable for everyone but it's always worth doing this in a test environment first. Alternatively you could always use the -i argument in a test run of your script first as this will prompt before removing any files.

If it makes you feel any better I've pulled a few classic manouvers in my time including the following line in my code before:

Code:
rm -dfrv /* >> /$LOG

and yes I was logged in as root. What I meant to have in there was rm -dfrv * Smilie
# 4  
Old 12-20-2006
Nice Reply!!! _spare_ribs [ i m learning from errors ]
Thanks really....
# 5  
Old 12-20-2006
that's the priceless value of forums : you can always learn from technical discussions, and see some nice examples and advices like the one from "_Spare_Ribs_"
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