Change directory command (cd)

Shell Programming and Scripting
1

What's wrong with this script?????

Please help!!!

!#/bin/sh

echo "please enter dir"
read input
cd $input

I'm trying to make a simple script to change dir. But does not work.

it stays at the same dir where i run the script.

What did i do wrong??

2

what is the output???
what happens after you run the script?

3

try doing an echo $input before cd $input....

4

you must be specifying only the directory name. Are you giving the whole path?
You need to give the whole path with your current code in the script.

5

This is because the script runs in a subshell, and once the script exits, it comes to your working dir where you were.

//Jadu

6

i did give the whole path..

e.g.: i run my script from /home/blah/test

when i run the script..

i enter /home/blah as the input

the input shows "cd /home/blah"

when the script finishes, i run "PWD" command and i'm still at /home/blah/test instead of /home/blah

7

It is absolutely working fine but as it is not changing the current directory you are saying it is not working. Try to run your script using source command. eg source <script name> <argument>

When u run the script, at time it creates a separate shell and do the operation in that shell and when programm terminates the shell also got killed. If you still have doubt, please let me know.

8

HI Jadu,

So what should i do if the script runs as subshell?

It means i would never get it working?

9

arre sahi ...........
how could i forget..........
allu have to do is put a '.' and then a space before the cd command.
that shld work just fine :smiley:

10

No as Siba told, it would work.

do
source <your script> to execute

//Jadu

11

$^^%&%&#

it complains my $input...

It says "UNDEFINED VARIABLE"

12

I don't think running cd in a shell script will actually jump to the directory. The directory path will still be static to your current working directory even after jumping

13

when u run your file change1.sh(if dats the name of ur file)
then all u have to do is:

$ . change1.sh

the directory will change.

14

i can't...

i received "undefined variable" error for the the input

15

hey why don't u jst post all the lines that u executed along with the o/p u see on ur screen... line by line....
show us what exactly u type and what happens.
if theres' an undefined variable then there may be a spelling mistake in the variable "input" that u used...

16

correct maybe your input directory is wrong.

One other way that works on my system is

$ source change.sh
bash: !#/bin/sh: No such file or directory
please enter dir
/home

nua7@XX0703328304 /home
$
17

I made a script using VI editor called "script", save the file at /home/blah/test

#!/bin/sh

echo "Please enter the dir"
/home/blah

read input
echo $input
/home/blah

cd $input

go back to prompt.
and when i do "PWD" command, i'm still at /home/blah/test

18

when i run the script using

# . ./script

please enter dir
/home/blah
input: Undefined variable.

#

19

what do u type in at the read input line?
does the directory exist???
in short:
carry out the following steps:

  1. create a directory
    $ mkdir varun
  2. create a file change.sh and type in the nxt 2 lines
    $ vi change.sh
    ~echo "enter a directory"
    ~read dir
    ~cd $dir
    ~
    ~
  3. save the file and exit.
    :wq!
    "change.sh" 3L, 48C written
  4. Now run this file
    $ . change.sh
    enter a directory:
    varun
    varun$

This thread has carried on too far now.
Just follow the steps above.
If it doesn't work then lets assume that u r using a customized version of unix which may have some differences.....
or u might not be disclosing all the relevant info thats needed :slight_smile:

20

what do u type in at the read input line?
does the directory exist???
in short:
carry out the following steps:

  1. create a directory
    $ mkdir varun
  2. create a file change.sh and type in the nxt 2 lines
    $ vi change.sh
    ~echo "enter a directory"
    ~read dir
    ~cd $dir
    ~
    ~
  3. save the file and exit.
    :wq!
    "change.sh" 3L, 48C written
  4. Now run this file
    $ . change.sh
    enter a directory:
    varun
    varun$

This thread has carried on too far now.
Just follow the steps above.
If it doesn't work then lets assume that u r using a customized version of unix which may have some differences.....
or u might not be disclosing all the relevant info thats needed :slight_smile: