UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

I want to do something like this:

Code:

alias cd2="cd /data_saves/$(/opt/bin/util/getcustdb -i $@)"

Where /opt/bin/util/getcustdb is an inhouse script to lookup customer db name based on a provided id number

Then when I use the alias I can

Code:

cd2 4567

and have it run "/opt/bin/util/getcustdb -i 4567" take the response "cust1@sid", and then cd to /data_saves/cust1@sid

I tried suggestions listed in closed thread unix-dummies-questions-answers/160074-passing-arguments-alias-multiple-commands.html
But I can't seem to get it to work as a function either.

By the way

Code:

alias cd2="cd /data_saves/$(/opt/bin/util/getcustdb -i 4567)"

Does work, but that doesn't give me the dynamic parameter / argument feature I need.

---------- Post updated at 03:00 PM ---------- Previous update was at 02:23 PM ----------

I went the route of a script and an alis combo, but my problem was that if I cd in the script, when the script ended and exited the script shell, when returned to my shell I was sol . .

I found the magic in

Changing directory through script

(I would post the full URL, but I don't have enough bits yet to post a URL).

per Phantom: "when you run the script as . ./myscript commands in the script are executed in the same shell. Therefore, if you change directory or any shell variable, the results stay in effect after the script is completed."

I needed that extra . (and space) in front of calling my script.

So now I have a solution that works for me:

in home directory I created cddatasave.ksh

Code:

#!/bin/ksh
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Script to cd to a data save directory of a specific customer bassed on ID number
#
# Revision History:
#   JourneyRider 20131017      Initial creation
#
# Usage: ~/cddatasave.ksh [FI_DIID]
#        ID = 4 digit ID
#
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

custdbdir=$(/opt/bin/util/getcustdb -i $1)
cd /data_saves/$custdbdir

Code:

alias cd2=". ~/cddatasave.ksh"

and added that to my ~/.profile

so now when I do

Code:

cd2 4567

I end up in

Code:

/data_saves/cust1@sid

Moderator's Comments:

edit by bakunin: i have added the link for you. If you need something you are welcome to ask any moderator/admin - we are here to help - and this includes adding link where they make sense. Nevertheless, you are allowed to use CODE-tags and on behalf of colleague Scott, who has added them for you, I'd like to ask you to use them yourself next time you post. Thank you for your consideration.

If you want parameters, a function would be better than an alias. You should be able to use the literal code you've given:

Code:

cd2 () {
        cd /data_saves/$(/opt/bin/util/getcustdb -i $@)
}

Code:

cd2 12345

Just a shot into the blue as i dont know...

Doesnt 'support' Unix ~/bin, ~/.local/bin for users scripts as well?
So instead of making a script and then adding an alias (or function) to call just that script, why not place the script in that place?

OK, you would 'need' to name the script: "cd2" and set execution flag, but does that matter?

Hope this helps

Not exactly. It can be set up that way, but seldom is. You'd need to change ~/.profile or somesuch to make sure that happens on every login.

The code I suggested belongs in ~/.profile or whatever equivalent file your shell uses anyhow; it will be run automatically on login, making that function available. Seems simpler to me to modify ~/.profile without an extra dir and file.

Functions are available in most modern Bourne shells like KSH and BASH.