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Writing variables into a new file

 
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# 1  
Old 07-08-2008
Writing variables into a new file
Code:
echo "Please enter your surname\n"
echo "followed by your first name:\c"
read name1 name2
echo "Thank you"
echo "Now please enter your age"
read age
echo "Thanks again, we're nearly done. Please enter your town of birth"
read town
echo "Hi there $name2 $name1"
sleep 3
echo "erm..."
sleep 2
echo "Not long  until you are `expr $age + 1`"
sleep 4
echo "Are you still living in $town ?"

cat > $name2
Name = $name2 $name1
Age = $age
Hometown = $hometown

I've just thrown together this basic script to capture some details, but i then want to save the variables in a new text file. My feable attempt at coding this is emboldened. The text file should save itself as the name given earlier.

Any hints appreciated.
# 2  
Old 07-08-2008
Hammer & Screwdriver What are you trying to accomplish by writing to a file?
From reading what you had started, it appears that you want to write a file for one person. The reason for my asking, is 'usually' a file contains info for many instances (people and data).
[Note, this is all off the top of my head - I did not test the syntax and make sure it lined up with your existing code.]

Thus, to address in your original thoughts:
Code:
#get rid of any existing file (optional)
rm myfile.txt 2>/dev/null
echo "Name = $name2 $name1" >>myfile.txt
echo "Age = $age" >>myfile.txt
echo "Hometown = $hometown" >>myfile.txt

However, you may actually want to create more of a database. To do that, it would be along the lines of:
Code:
#write out four fields separated by a pipe "|" character
echo $name2 "|" $name1 "|" $age "|" $hometown >>myfile.txt

# 3  
Old 07-10-2008
I've mastered the script now, thank you for your help. After using it for a while it becomes annoying having to open it up each and every time i add a new person.

What's the easiest way to get it to ask if i want to add another person, and have the script loop for me?

Thanks in advance.

Pete.
# 4  
Old 07-10-2008
Is there anyway to use an external template and paste the variables into that? Instead of creating a new external file as below?

Thank you for your response.


echo "First Name = $name1" >>$name2
echo "Surname = $name2" >>$name2
echo "Age = $age" >>$name2
echo "Hometown = $town" >>$name2
echo "Previous Employer = $employer" >>$name2
# 5  
Old 07-11-2008
anyone?
# 6  
Old 07-11-2008
It's not clear what you are trying to achieve.
PN
# 7  
Old 07-13-2008
Ok i'll try and explain it better.

Currently the script saves the data in a new file.

I want to be able to save the data in an existing file.

So the script would take the variables and write them into the existing file at a specific location in the text.

How would i achieve this?

Thank you.
 
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