#!/bin/csh -f :: What does it mean

Shell Programming and Scripting
1

Hi,
I have a script which I need to modify. It contains the following statement at the beginning -

  1. What does this mean ?
#!/bin/csh -f
  1. If I run the following code in a script on C SHELL it runs normally.
host=0
if [ -s /usr/bin/1234.xcf ]; then
 host="<<something>>"
fi

But, in the script with that header #!/bin/csh -f, it gives me the following error

host=0: Command Not Found
Missing ]

I am using Solaris 8 and

echo $SHELL

gives me /bin/csh

:confused::confused: Please provide some insight.

2

-f Fast start. Reads neither the .cshrc file, nor the .login file
(if a login shell) upon startup.

I don't think it was the csh, though echo $SHELL says it is.

Yeah, this is csh. If you remove the -f switch, it should return the same error message.
In csh, one sets a variable like so:

% set var=value

Check this (The set command) csh Commands
In your case the host variable should be set like so:

set host=0

---------- Post updated at 23:41 ---------- Previous update was at 23:17 ----------

Besides I wonder what is the output of echo $0 after you run host=0 in shell and it succeeds.
And what is the output of echo $0 after you run /bin/csh

3

It gives error in either case

"No file for $0

"

Also, in the 1st case, that "set" solves the issue, but the "if" syntax has some problem I guess ! Tried other syntaxes, but somehow stuck.

4

Veeeeerrrry strange :eek:

Try this:

set host=0
if ( -s /usr/bin/1234.xcf ) set host="something"

or

set host=0
if ( -s /usr/bin/1234.xcf ) then
set host="something"
endif
5

Both the "if" formats I tried. If gives me the foolowing error :

if: Badly formed number

Thinking.... what is this problem now.

6

:frowning:
Looks like your csh's built-in test operator does not support "-s", try this

set host=0
if ( /bin/test -s /usr/bin/1234.xcf ) set host="something"

If it doesn't work, try it even with curly brackets, like it's demonstrated here:
if: Badly formed number (1st Response) - Toolbox for IT Groups

---------- Post updated at 01:16 ---------- Previous update was at 01:09 ----------

Also try this:

set host=0
if ( ! -z /usr/bin/1234.xcf ) set host="something"
1 Like
7

Pseudocoder - Thanks for your help. Your posts are very helpful !

8

You're welcome mate :slight_smile: Thank you for the feedback.