UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

for file in `ls *.txt`
do
sed '/s/old/new/g' $file > /tmp/tempfile.tmp
mv /tmp/tempfile.tmp $file
done

the txt files names look like "text file one.txt", "text file two.txt"

but when I run it, all i get is:

sed: 0602-419 Cannot find or open file text.
sed: 0602-419 Cannot find or open file file.
sed: 0602-419 Cannot find or open file one.txt
sed: 0602-419 Cannot find or open file two.txt

how can i get it so I can call each file and change the info in it?

no, combinding the names so it's textfileone.txt is not an option. thanks in advance on helping this newb!

Is a waste of "ls"

Simply use

Code:

for file in *.txt
do
     echo do something with "$file"
done

Enclose $file in double quotes:

Code:

for file in *.txt
do
   sed '/s/old/new/g' "$file" > /tmp/tempfile.tmp
   mv /tmp/tempfile.tmp "$file"
done

hey thanks a bunch guys!!!

jim, you hit the nail in the face...

porter, it didn't work but has taught me to be more efficient...thanks!