UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

echo name the file that you want to read
read answer

if [ $# = 0 ]
then
echo you must enter a file name

fi
cat $answer


im trying to catch the error if user forget to enter the name of the file

anyone can help me ?
thanks

Code:

echo "Enter answer"
read answer

echo $answer | od -b

if [ "$answer" = "" ]
then
        echo "You must enter a file name"
        exit 1
else
        cat $answer
fi

Regards
JK

added code tags for readability --oombera

% sh mmm
Enter answer
fileX
0000000 146 151 154 145 130 012
0000006
cat: cannot open fileX



jayakhanna this is what comes up if you run the code

I am really sorry I was just checking the octal value for \n.
Okay any how the program should be like this

echo "Enter answer"
read answer

if [ "$answer" = "" ]
then
echo "You must enter a file name"
exit 1
else
cat $answer
fi


Well from your mail I think your concern is that you want to check whether the particular file exists or not, Am i right. If so then
use the below code after *read answer* in the above code

Code:

if [ ! -s $answer ]
then
     echo "The file does not exist"
     exit 1
fi

Regards
JK

added code tags for readability --oombera

no worries now the program works fine!!!

aprecciate your help

Happy New Year