topic Re: Shell script: how to check whether a directory is empty? in Operating System - HP-UX

Shell script: how to check whether a directory is empty?

cybermilky — Fri, 18 Oct 2002 13:24:33 GMT

I'm writing a shell script that checks the read/write permission of a file. I encounter some problems of the if-else statement which consists of some syntax errors. What's wrong with my shell programming?
---------------
#!/bin/sh
echo "Enter a file: \c"
read file
if [ -r "$file -a -w "$file" ]
then
echo "$file is readable and writable."
elif [ -r "$file" -a ! -w "$file" ]
then
echo "$file is readable but not writable."
else
echo "$file is not readable and not writable"
fi
---------------
The script is supposed to read a file from user and then checks whether it is readable or writable. How do I correct my errors?

Re: Shell script: how to check whether a directory is empty?

Tom Danzig — Fri, 18 Oct 2002 13:38:49 GMT

You're missing a double quote:

if [ -r "$file -a -w "$file" ]

S/B

if [ -r "$file" -a -w "$file" ]

Re: Shell script: how to check whether a directory is empty?

Martin Robinson — Mon, 21 Oct 2002 07:39:56 GMT

I am curious as the difference between the title of your post and the problem you describe therein. Have you solved the problem described by the title?

Re: Shell script: how to check whether a directory is empty?

Theresa Patrie — Mon, 21 Oct 2002 11:00:15 GMT

Martin,
The title of this post is the same as another post from cybermilky on the same day. Must have forgotten to change the title on this one.
Theresa