UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

if [ -d mylabs ]; then
     echo -n " there is a folder named mylabs, what subfolders would you like to create "

     # you need to split this into a traditional if-then-else
     if read -e DIR1 
     then
        echo -n " create next directory "; read -e DIR2
     fi

     # you need to test to ensure that both DIR1 and DIR2 are not empty or mkdir will fail
     mkdir $DIR1 $DIR2   
else
     echo " creating folder mylabs " mkdir mylabs
     echo -n " what subfolders would you like to create " 
     read DIR1 DIR2 mkdir    #reading into a variable mkdir???? 

     #You cannot run a directory as a command which is what you 
     # are attempting to do in the next line.  This makes little sense and your goal is unclear
     $DIR1 $DIR2 && echo " folders $DIR1 $DIR2 created "
fi