Shell Programming and Scripting

how can i use the date command to create unique log file names? ie, trying to do backups, i want to output a listing of what was backed up to an output log file for that day:

tar cvf /dev/rmt/0 /usr/ /export/home > dateadmin.log where date would be teh current year, day month.

I'm using the korn shell, ksh environment, any help appreciated, thanks, kym

date +%y%d%m will give you 021807 (for today anyway)

touch `date +%y%d%m`admin.log would create
021807admin.log

Also, Perderabo has a datecalc script that may be useful.

Perderabo's datecalc

I tried touch 'date +%y%m%d'admin.log and no go. Could something not be set up right in my ksh shell? I've looked through 3 books and that command should work, but does not. Any other ideas? will try the pederabo thing next.

Don't think that script date calc is what i'm looking for, the date command works fine, i put in $> date +%Y%m%d and get
20020718 back, no probs, just trying to incorporate that into a redirected log file name isn't working.

Check the character you are using when typing the command:

Mine:
touch `date +%y%d%m`admin.log
Yours:
touch 'date +%y%m%d'admin.log

Difference is ` versus '. (I copied from your post - assuming it's what you used to try the command).

Ohmigosh, i cannot believe that. i was using hte apostrophe, never paid it much attention, figured it was the difference between shell environments vs what the references i was looking at were using!!!! when i used the ` instead of apostrophe ' it worked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, the ` is up near the 1 on a standard pc keyboard. DOH! Thanks again

Tip
Instead of backquote `command` use $(command)
Less change of typo's and it reads easier.