UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Hey. I'm just getting started with scripting and although i will admit i haven't searched the forum yet, i think it would be a waste of time. It really will be very simple.

I want to enter a list of arguments after my script with the last being the filename. (not the first, as this is part of the requirements)

I so far have

Code:

var=$#
filename=$var
echo "last argument is $filename"

Now i have put every variation i can think of around the second lines var in order the change the value of filename to be from the location in the list of arguments to the argument itself, ie if i put

sh script hi there smelly

smelly is the last argument.

i want the filename to take on the value of the file smelly, not the value 3 (3rd argument)

if i put sh script hi there scriptfile1
where scriptfile1 exists and is the file i want to to point to, it still has argument 3. Whilst I would rather have it point to a file that already exists, i don't mind if it creates a new tempfile, (and will do checks on if files exist once i can get this sorted) i would just like to know how i can have it point to a filename rather than the argument number.

I'm sure i've made that a lot more difficult that it is, but any advice would be appreciated.

Regards, and thanks for your time!

Mitch.

Ok I have thought of a way to clarify my question.

my last argument from many will be a filename

say I have a script

Code:

touch /tmp/$#

will create a file /tmp/3

Whilst I'm not surprised by this, how can I change it so that $# doesn't give me the number of arguments, but the argument at position $#

Hope that clears things up.

Mitch.

Well, we don't think it would be a waste of time. That is why the rules state:
(5) Search the forums database with your keywords before asking.

Had you searched the forums maybe you have found printing last argument in shell script or one of the dozens of other threads that answer your question. Please give the search function a try next time.

Thanks for the reply. Although I'm sure you wont believe me, I read the rules before I posted.

After posting the question I realised that it wasn't clear. In the example I used above, I was after the last argument (which the thread you suggested does show how to do) but my question was as per the second article. That is to say it could be anywhere within the argument list. If i were to search, the terms I would be using would be position, argument, file, all terms ubiquitous to most threads. That is why i chose against searching.

Thanks for your response.

Mitch.

P.S. I am a nice guy, and understand where you are coming from. I know from experience what it is like partaking in forums where people ask questions that have been asked a hundred times before. I didn't just ignore the search feature off the cuff. Sorry if I pi**ed you off.