Shell script of copy files from one directory to another

[cybermilky]

Does anyone know how to create a shell script that works like below:

It copies the files from the first argument directory to the second argument directory and deletes all the files in the first argument directory.

The script must do the right level of checking of the arguments first. For example: when the second directory does not exist, or when the second directory exists, but not the first one.

Can someone help?

[Balaji N]

looks like some kind of a school assignment and you r using these forums to get answers for them?
-b-

[Stefan Farrelly · Accepted solution]

if [ ! -d "$1" ]
then
echo "Source directory $1 does not exist"
exit 1
fi
if [ ! -d "$2" ]
then
echo "Destination dir $2 does not exist"
exit 2
fi
mv $1 $2 # mv copies first then deletes $1


Save it to a script called say copy.sh then run it as ./copy.sh

[Paula J Frazer-Campbell]

Hi

If this an assignment / question then Stefan has shown you how, so look at the structute and then make it your own by useing copy instead of move with check routines to ensure that the files in the destination dirs match the files in the target dirs and perhaps also log the results.


Paula

[Steve Post]

This isn't really an answer to your question. But if your intent is really to move a directory stucture to a different spot?

To move a directory structure:

Let's move /a/b/c/dir1 to /x/y/dir1
cd /a/b/c
find dir1 -print | cpio -pdumvc /x/y

This will create "dir1" under /x/y.

Then to remove /a/b/c/dir1,
cd /a/b/c
rm -r dir1

Why would you do something like this?
The current filesystem of /a/b/c/dir1 is being reassigned to another computer. Or /a/b/c is running out of room. Or you set up a project at /a/b/c, and someone later says they want it at another spot.

Of course you have to be careful. "rm -r" is obviously powerful. Have backups. Do this when no one is on the system. Coordinate the action, etc.

[John Dvorchak]

And if it is a school assignment, you guys are providing "A" answers. The least he could do is assign some 10's for your scores.