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move files that match specific conditions

 
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# 1  
Old 10-24-2012
move files that match specific conditions
Hi all,

I'm new to this forum and bash scripting. I have the following problem, I need to copy some files (from one dir. to another) whose first 5 numbers (subjects' ID) match the directory names. Here a shortened version of what I'm trying to do:

names=(32983_f 35416_f 43579_f) # these are the names of directories where I want to copy the files to

for i in ${names[@]}
do

if [$i = /Users/name/Dropbox/$i_exp.txt]; then

# _exp.txt is the constant part of the files I want to move

cp /Users/name/Dropbox/$i_exp.txt

/Users/name/Desktop/SUBJ/$i
# I want that this file is copied in the corresponding directory (with the same initial 5 numbers as the file)

fi
done

I hope it's clear. Like this obviously doesn't work it says

cp.sh: line 6: [32983_f: command not found,

Could you help me?
Best

Ada
Last edited by ada1983; 10-24-2012 at 12:29 PM..
# 2  
Old 10-24-2012
try:
Code:
 
names=(32983_f 35416_f 43579_f) # these are the names of directories where I want to copy the files to
for i in ${names[@]}
do
  if [ -f /Users/name/Dropbox/$i_exp.txt ]; then
    # _exp.txt is the constant part of the files I want to move
    [[ -d /Users/name/Desktop/SUBJ/$i ]] || mkdir -p /Users/name/Desktop/SUBJ/$i
    cp /Users/name/Dropbox/$i_exp.txt /Users/name/Desktop/SUBJ/$i
    # I want that this file is copied in the corresponding directory (with the same initial 5 numbers as the file)
  fi
done

Last edited by rdrtx1; 10-24-2012 at 01:15 PM.. Reason: fixed spacing around square brackets.
# 3  
Old 10-24-2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by rdrtx1
try:
Code:
 
names=(32983_f 35416_f 43579_f) # these are the names of directories where I want to copy the files to
for i in ${names[@]}
do
  if [-f /Users/name/Dropbox/$i_exp.txt]; then
    # _exp.txt is the constant part of the files I want to move
    [[ -d /Users/name/Desktop/SUBJ/$i ]] || mkdir -p /Users/name/Desktop/SUBJ/$i
    cp /Users/name/Dropbox/$i_exp.txt /Users/name/Desktop/SUBJ/$i
    # I want that this file is copied in the corresponding directory (with the same initial 5 numbers as the file)
  fi
done

I can see some spacing problems with test right away.
# 4  
Old 10-24-2012
Hi Thanks for tour reply,

It still doesn't work, it says

cp.sh: line 6: [-f: command not found
# 5  
Old 10-24-2012
Code:
 
names=(32983_f 35416_f 43579_f) # these are the names of directories where I want to copy the files to
for i in ${names[@]}
do
  if [ -f /Users/name/Dropbox/$i_exp.txt ] ; then
    # _exp.txt is the constant part of the files I want to move
    [[ -d /Users/name/Desktop/SUBJ/$i ]] || mkdir -p /Users/name/Desktop/SUBJ/$i
    cp /Users/name/Dropbox/$i_exp.txt /Users/name/Desktop/SUBJ/$i
    # I want that this file is copied in the corresponding directory (with the same initial 5 numbers as the file)
  fi
done

Sorry, include spaces around square brackets.
Last edited by rdrtx1; 10-24-2012 at 01:16 PM..
# 6  
Old 10-24-2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by elixir_sinari
I can see some spacing problems with test right away.
Test? Can you be a bit more explicit? Sorry I'm not used to bash yet

---------- Post updated at 06:15 PM ---------- Previous update was at 06:10 PM ----------

ok, yes I see it! I added one space before the -f and at the end of that statement inside the []. It doesn't give me any error now. But it still doesn't do the job, I think I will find my way but can I ask you what is the role of the -f in front and the -d ?

Thanks

Ada
# 7  
Old 10-24-2012
-f tests if file exits. -d tests if directory exists.
Last edited by rdrtx1; 10-24-2012 at 01:38 PM..
 
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