Checking for existing files with bash script [Archive]

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singlespeed

08-13-2003, 01:07 PM

In a script I'm writing I need to check to see if a file exists and if so, then append some text to it, if not create a file with name blah...

How can I do this in a bash script?

thanks!

EscapeCharacter

08-13-2003, 01:11 PM

if in a test -a returns true

singlespeed

08-13-2003, 02:03 PM

come again??

"if in a test -a returns true"

I'm sorry but I'm not sure exactly what you mean...

I'm looking for the commands I need to use to check if a file exists.

kshim5

08-13-2003, 02:29 PM

if [ -f /etc/foo ]; then

excellent thread on the subject
http://www.justlinux.com/nhf/Programming/Introduction_to_bash_Shell_Scripting.html

singlespeed

08-13-2003, 03:39 PM

Perfect! Thanks!!:D

bwkaz

08-13-2003, 06:56 PM

Originally posted by singlespeed
In a script I'm writing I need to check to see if a file exists and if so, then append some text to it, if not create a file with name blah... Better yet -- let bash do the test for you:

command >>file.txt If file.txt doesn't exist, it'll get created and the output of "command" will get put in it. If it does exist, the output of "command" will be appended to it.