Bash script to find files with a string in the title and print them and ask to delete them
I need to make a bash script that takes two arguments, one is the string to search for in the filenames and the next one is the file path to search in. Next it needs to go through one matching file at a time and print it out and then prompt the user if they want to delete it.
An example of it would be:
./scriptName.sh foo /path/to/directory/
/path/to/directory/foo.txt
Delete this? (y/n)
user input
/path/to/directory/foop.txt
Delete this? (y/n)
user input
etc...
I originally tried
find $2 -type f -name "*$1*" -print
and
find $2 -type f -name "*$1*" -delete
Where $1 is the first argument and $2 are the second argument of course.
And this worked until I realized it had to list each one separately then prompt to delete them which is a bit of problem since the previous two lines of code just do all the matching files at once.
shell-script
edited 30 mins ago
Rui F Ribeiro
40.1k1479136
asked Apr 10 '16 at 4:32
user276019user276019
1
add a comment |
I need to make a bash script that takes two arguments, one is the string to search for in the filenames and the next one is the file path to search in. Next it needs to go through one matching file at a time and print it out and then prompt the user if they want to delete it.
An example of it would be:
./scriptName.sh foo /path/to/directory/
/path/to/directory/foo.txt
Delete this? (y/n)
user input
/path/to/directory/foop.txt
Delete this? (y/n)
user input
etc...
I originally tried
find $2 -type f -name "*$1*" -print
and
find $2 -type f -name "*$1*" -delete
Where $1 is the first argument and $2 are the second argument of course.
And this worked until I realized it had to list each one separately then prompt to delete them which is a bit of problem since the previous two lines of code just do all the matching files at once.
shell-script
edited 30 mins ago
Rui F Ribeiro
40.1k1479136
asked Apr 10 '16 at 4:32
user276019user276019
1
add a comment |
I need to make a bash script that takes two arguments, one is the string to search for in the filenames and the next one is the file path to search in. Next it needs to go through one matching file at a time and print it out and then prompt the user if they want to delete it.
An example of it would be:
./scriptName.sh foo /path/to/directory/
/path/to/directory/foo.txt
Delete this? (y/n)
user input
/path/to/directory/foop.txt
Delete this? (y/n)
user input
etc...
I originally tried
find $2 -type f -name "*$1*" -print
and
find $2 -type f -name "*$1*" -delete
Where $1 is the first argument and $2 are the second argument of course.
And this worked until I realized it had to list each one separately then prompt to delete them which is a bit of problem since the previous two lines of code just do all the matching files at once.
shell-script
edited 30 mins ago
Rui F Ribeiro
40.1k1479136
asked Apr 10 '16 at 4:32
user276019user276019
1
I need to make a bash script that takes two arguments, one is the string to search for in the filenames and the next one is the file path to search in. Next it needs to go through one matching file at a time and print it out and then prompt the user if they want to delete it.
An example of it would be:
./scriptName.sh foo /path/to/directory/
/path/to/directory/foo.txt
Delete this? (y/n)
user input
/path/to/directory/foop.txt
Delete this? (y/n)
user input
etc...
I originally tried
find $2 -type f -name "*$1*" -print
and
find $2 -type f -name "*$1*" -delete
Where $1 is the first argument and $2 are the second argument of course.
And this worked until I realized it had to list each one separately then prompt to delete them which is a bit of problem since the previous two lines of code just do all the matching files at once.
shell-script
shell-script
edited 30 mins ago
Rui F Ribeiro
40.1k1479136
asked Apr 10 '16 at 4:32
user276019user276019
1
edited 30 mins ago
Rui F Ribeiro
40.1k1479136
asked Apr 10 '16 at 4:32
user276019user276019
1
edited 30 mins ago
Rui F Ribeiro
40.1k1479136
edited 30 mins ago
Rui F Ribeiro
40.1k1479136
edited 30 mins ago
Rui F Ribeiro
40.1k1479136
40.1k1479136
asked Apr 10 '16 at 4:32
user276019user276019
1
asked Apr 10 '16 at 4:32
user276019user276019
1
asked Apr 10 '16 at 4:32
user276019user276019
1
1
add a comment |
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
You could either use -ok to execute rm on the found pathnames, or use -exec to execute rm -i.
This shows short examples of each, and assumes that $searchpath is the search path and $pattern is the final name pattern (e.g. "*$1*").
Using -ok: The -ok action of find is similar to -exec, but it asks the user for confirmation first, before executing the given utility. We use it to execute rm on each found pathname individually.
find "$searchpath" -type f -name "$pattern" -ok rm {} ;
Using rm -i: This would make the rm utility itself ask for confirmation before removing a file. We can use this on batches of pathnames.
find "$searchpath" -type f -name "$pattern" -exec rm -i {} +
answered 8 mins ago
KusalanandaKusalananda
129k16244402
add a comment |
pattern=$1
dir=$2
for file in $(find ${dir} -type f -name "*${pattern}*")
do
/bin/rm -i ${file}
done
Basically you are looping through the files the find command returns and rm -i command is asking you a y/n question to delete the file or not. I think it is what you are looking for but if not, let people know what your exact need is for further help.
answered Apr 10 '16 at 4:44
MelBurslanMelBurslan
5,29811533
thank you for your help, I'm sure I can figure it out myself but the major part of this is the prompt to the user to decide whether or not to delete the file. Can I put this between the do done?
– user276019
Apr 10 '16 at 4:53
rm -icommand i.e., interactivermis there for this exact purpose. You do not need to do anything, unless you want a totally different verbiage. If this is the case, put your message beforermcommand and test if the user said yes or not using conditionals. Just create a dummy file and runrm -i dummyfilecommand to see how it works
– MelBurslan
Apr 10 '16 at 4:57
1
Don’t dofor file in $(find …); do …; dofind "$dir" -type f -name "*${pattern}*" -exec rm -i {} +. Note that$dirshould be quoted (in double quotes); putting it in braces accomplishes nothing.
– G-Man
Apr 10 '16 at 5:31
1
@G-Man is correct. in this particular case, the braces, while harmless, do nothing of any use, but double-quoting the variables would protect against embedded spaces and other problem characters. He's also correct about not usingfor file in $(find ...). Usefind ... -exec rm -i {} +as he suggested orfind ... | while IFS= read file ; do rm -i "$file" ; done. The former (-exec rm) works for all files, even those with newlines in the filename, whereas the second (whileloop) works for all filenames except those with newlines. These are not matters of opinion, they are facts.
– cas
Apr 10 '16 at 8:49
1
Don't read lines withfor
– glenn jackman
Apr 10 '16 at 11:56
|
show 4 more comments
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
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You could either use -ok to execute rm on the found pathnames, or use -exec to execute rm -i.
This shows short examples of each, and assumes that $searchpath is the search path and $pattern is the final name pattern (e.g. "*$1*").
Using -ok: The -ok action of find is similar to -exec, but it asks the user for confirmation first, before executing the given utility. We use it to execute rm on each found pathname individually.
find "$searchpath" -type f -name "$pattern" -ok rm {} ;
Using rm -i: This would make the rm utility itself ask for confirmation before removing a file. We can use this on batches of pathnames.
find "$searchpath" -type f -name "$pattern" -exec rm -i {} +
answered 8 mins ago
KusalanandaKusalananda
129k16244402
add a comment |
You could either use -ok to execute rm on the found pathnames, or use -exec to execute rm -i.
This shows short examples of each, and assumes that $searchpath is the search path and $pattern is the final name pattern (e.g. "*$1*").
Using -ok: The -ok action of find is similar to -exec, but it asks the user for confirmation first, before executing the given utility. We use it to execute rm on each found pathname individually.
find "$searchpath" -type f -name "$pattern" -ok rm {} ;
Using rm -i: This would make the rm utility itself ask for confirmation before removing a file. We can use this on batches of pathnames.
find "$searchpath" -type f -name "$pattern" -exec rm -i {} +
answered 8 mins ago
KusalanandaKusalananda
129k16244402
add a comment |
You could either use -ok to execute rm on the found pathnames, or use -exec to execute rm -i.
This shows short examples of each, and assumes that $searchpath is the search path and $pattern is the final name pattern (e.g. "*$1*").
Using -ok: The -ok action of find is similar to -exec, but it asks the user for confirmation first, before executing the given utility. We use it to execute rm on each found pathname individually.
find "$searchpath" -type f -name "$pattern" -ok rm {} ;
Using rm -i: This would make the rm utility itself ask for confirmation before removing a file. We can use this on batches of pathnames.
find "$searchpath" -type f -name "$pattern" -exec rm -i {} +
answered 8 mins ago
KusalanandaKusalananda
129k16244402
You could either use -ok to execute rm on the found pathnames, or use -exec to execute rm -i.
This shows short examples of each, and assumes that $searchpath is the search path and $pattern is the final name pattern (e.g. "*$1*").
Using -ok: The -ok action of find is similar to -exec, but it asks the user for confirmation first, before executing the given utility. We use it to execute rm on each found pathname individually.
find "$searchpath" -type f -name "$pattern" -ok rm {} ;
Using rm -i: This would make the rm utility itself ask for confirmation before removing a file. We can use this on batches of pathnames.
find "$searchpath" -type f -name "$pattern" -exec rm -i {} +
answered 8 mins ago
KusalanandaKusalananda
129k16244402
edited 41 secs ago
answered 8 mins ago
KusalanandaKusalananda
129k16244402
answered 8 mins ago
KusalanandaKusalananda
129k16244402
answered 8 mins ago
KusalanandaKusalananda
129k16244402
129k16244402
add a comment |
add a comment |
pattern=$1
dir=$2
for file in $(find ${dir} -type f -name "*${pattern}*")
do
/bin/rm -i ${file}
done
Basically you are looping through the files the find command returns and rm -i command is asking you a y/n question to delete the file or not. I think it is what you are looking for but if not, let people know what your exact need is for further help.
answered Apr 10 '16 at 4:44
MelBurslanMelBurslan
5,29811533
thank you for your help, I'm sure I can figure it out myself but the major part of this is the prompt to the user to decide whether or not to delete the file. Can I put this between the do done?
– user276019
Apr 10 '16 at 4:53
rm -icommand i.e., interactivermis there for this exact purpose. You do not need to do anything, unless you want a totally different verbiage. If this is the case, put your message beforermcommand and test if the user said yes or not using conditionals. Just create a dummy file and runrm -i dummyfilecommand to see how it works
– MelBurslan
Apr 10 '16 at 4:57
1
Don’t dofor file in $(find …); do …; dofind "$dir" -type f -name "*${pattern}*" -exec rm -i {} +. Note that$dirshould be quoted (in double quotes); putting it in braces accomplishes nothing.
– G-Man
Apr 10 '16 at 5:31
1
@G-Man is correct. in this particular case, the braces, while harmless, do nothing of any use, but double-quoting the variables would protect against embedded spaces and other problem characters. He's also correct about not usingfor file in $(find ...). Usefind ... -exec rm -i {} +as he suggested orfind ... | while IFS= read file ; do rm -i "$file" ; done. The former (-exec rm) works for all files, even those with newlines in the filename, whereas the second (whileloop) works for all filenames except those with newlines. These are not matters of opinion, they are facts.
– cas
Apr 10 '16 at 8:49
1
Don't read lines withfor
– glenn jackman
Apr 10 '16 at 11:56
|
show 4 more comments
pattern=$1
dir=$2
for file in $(find ${dir} -type f -name "*${pattern}*")
do
/bin/rm -i ${file}
done
Basically you are looping through the files the find command returns and rm -i command is asking you a y/n question to delete the file or not. I think it is what you are looking for but if not, let people know what your exact need is for further help.
answered Apr 10 '16 at 4:44
MelBurslanMelBurslan
5,29811533
thank you for your help, I'm sure I can figure it out myself but the major part of this is the prompt to the user to decide whether or not to delete the file. Can I put this between the do done?
– user276019
Apr 10 '16 at 4:53
rm -icommand i.e., interactivermis there for this exact purpose. You do not need to do anything, unless you want a totally different verbiage. If this is the case, put your message beforermcommand and test if the user said yes or not using conditionals. Just create a dummy file and runrm -i dummyfilecommand to see how it works
– MelBurslan
Apr 10 '16 at 4:57
1
Don’t dofor file in $(find …); do …; dofind "$dir" -type f -name "*${pattern}*" -exec rm -i {} +. Note that$dirshould be quoted (in double quotes); putting it in braces accomplishes nothing.
– G-Man
Apr 10 '16 at 5:31
1
@G-Man is correct. in this particular case, the braces, while harmless, do nothing of any use, but double-quoting the variables would protect against embedded spaces and other problem characters. He's also correct about not usingfor file in $(find ...). Usefind ... -exec rm -i {} +as he suggested orfind ... | while IFS= read file ; do rm -i "$file" ; done. The former (-exec rm) works for all files, even those with newlines in the filename, whereas the second (whileloop) works for all filenames except those with newlines. These are not matters of opinion, they are facts.
– cas
Apr 10 '16 at 8:49
1
Don't read lines withfor
– glenn jackman
Apr 10 '16 at 11:56
|
show 4 more comments
pattern=$1
dir=$2
for file in $(find ${dir} -type f -name "*${pattern}*")
do
/bin/rm -i ${file}
done
Basically you are looping through the files the find command returns and rm -i command is asking you a y/n question to delete the file or not. I think it is what you are looking for but if not, let people know what your exact need is for further help.
answered Apr 10 '16 at 4:44
MelBurslanMelBurslan
5,29811533
pattern=$1
dir=$2
for file in $(find ${dir} -type f -name "*${pattern}*")
do
/bin/rm -i ${file}
done
Basically you are looping through the files the find command returns and rm -i command is asking you a y/n question to delete the file or not. I think it is what you are looking for but if not, let people know what your exact need is for further help.
answered Apr 10 '16 at 4:44
MelBurslanMelBurslan
5,29811533
answered Apr 10 '16 at 4:44
MelBurslanMelBurslan
5,29811533
answered Apr 10 '16 at 4:44
MelBurslanMelBurslan
5,29811533
answered Apr 10 '16 at 4:44
MelBurslanMelBurslan
5,29811533
5,29811533
thank you for your help, I'm sure I can figure it out myself but the major part of this is the prompt to the user to decide whether or not to delete the file. Can I put this between the do done?
– user276019
Apr 10 '16 at 4:53
rm -icommand i.e., interactivermis there for this exact purpose. You do not need to do anything, unless you want a totally different verbiage. If this is the case, put your message beforermcommand and test if the user said yes or not using conditionals. Just create a dummy file and runrm -i dummyfilecommand to see how it works
– MelBurslan
Apr 10 '16 at 4:57
1
Don’t dofor file in $(find …); do …; dofind "$dir" -type f -name "*${pattern}*" -exec rm -i {} +. Note that$dirshould be quoted (in double quotes); putting it in braces accomplishes nothing.
– G-Man
Apr 10 '16 at 5:31
1
@G-Man is correct. in this particular case, the braces, while harmless, do nothing of any use, but double-quoting the variables would protect against embedded spaces and other problem characters. He's also correct about not usingfor file in $(find ...). Usefind ... -exec rm -i {} +as he suggested orfind ... | while IFS= read file ; do rm -i "$file" ; done. The former (-exec rm) works for all files, even those with newlines in the filename, whereas the second (whileloop) works for all filenames except those with newlines. These are not matters of opinion, they are facts.
– cas
Apr 10 '16 at 8:49
1
Don't read lines withfor
– glenn jackman
Apr 10 '16 at 11:56
|
show 4 more comments
thank you for your help, I'm sure I can figure it out myself but the major part of this is the prompt to the user to decide whether or not to delete the file. Can I put this between the do done?
– user276019
Apr 10 '16 at 4:53
rm -icommand i.e., interactivermis there for this exact purpose. You do not need to do anything, unless you want a totally different verbiage. If this is the case, put your message beforermcommand and test if the user said yes or not using conditionals. Just create a dummy file and runrm -i dummyfilecommand to see how it works
– MelBurslan
Apr 10 '16 at 4:57
1
Don’t dofor file in $(find …); do …; dofind "$dir" -type f -name "*${pattern}*" -exec rm -i {} +. Note that$dirshould be quoted (in double quotes); putting it in braces accomplishes nothing.
– G-Man
Apr 10 '16 at 5:31
1
@G-Man is correct. in this particular case, the braces, while harmless, do nothing of any use, but double-quoting the variables would protect against embedded spaces and other problem characters. He's also correct about not usingfor file in $(find ...). Usefind ... -exec rm -i {} +as he suggested orfind ... | while IFS= read file ; do rm -i "$file" ; done. The former (-exec rm) works for all files, even those with newlines in the filename, whereas the second (whileloop) works for all filenames except those with newlines. These are not matters of opinion, they are facts.
– cas
Apr 10 '16 at 8:49
1
Don't read lines withfor
– glenn jackman
Apr 10 '16 at 11:56
thank you for your help, I'm sure I can figure it out myself but the major part of this is the prompt to the user to decide whether or not to delete the file. Can I put this between the do done?
– user276019
Apr 10 '16 at 4:53
thank you for your help, I'm sure I can figure it out myself but the major part of this is the prompt to the user to decide whether or not to delete the file. Can I put this between the do done?
– user276019
Apr 10 '16 at 4:53
rm -i command i.e., interactive rm is there for this exact purpose. You do not need to do anything, unless you want a totally different verbiage. If this is the case, put your message before rm command and test if the user said yes or not using conditionals. Just create a dummy file and run rm -i dummyfile command to see how it works– MelBurslan
Apr 10 '16 at 4:57
rm -i command i.e., interactive rm is there for this exact purpose. You do not need to do anything, unless you want a totally different verbiage. If this is the case, put your message before rm command and test if the user said yes or not using conditionals. Just create a dummy file and run rm -i dummyfile command to see how it works– MelBurslan
Apr 10 '16 at 4:57
1
1
Don’t do
for file in $(find …); do …; do find "$dir" -type f -name "*${pattern}*" -exec rm -i {} +. Note that $dir should be quoted (in double quotes); putting it in braces accomplishes nothing.– G-Man
Apr 10 '16 at 5:31
Don’t do
for file in $(find …); do …; do find "$dir" -type f -name "*${pattern}*" -exec rm -i {} +. Note that $dir should be quoted (in double quotes); putting it in braces accomplishes nothing.– G-Man
Apr 10 '16 at 5:31
1
1
@G-Man is correct. in this particular case, the braces, while harmless, do nothing of any use, but double-quoting the variables would protect against embedded spaces and other problem characters. He's also correct about not using
for file in $(find ...). Use find ... -exec rm -i {} + as he suggested or find ... | while IFS= read file ; do rm -i "$file" ; done. The former (-exec rm) works for all files, even those with newlines in the filename, whereas the second (while loop) works for all filenames except those with newlines. These are not matters of opinion, they are facts.– cas
Apr 10 '16 at 8:49
@G-Man is correct. in this particular case, the braces, while harmless, do nothing of any use, but double-quoting the variables would protect against embedded spaces and other problem characters. He's also correct about not using
for file in $(find ...). Use find ... -exec rm -i {} + as he suggested or find ... | while IFS= read file ; do rm -i "$file" ; done. The former (-exec rm) works for all files, even those with newlines in the filename, whereas the second (while loop) works for all filenames except those with newlines. These are not matters of opinion, they are facts.– cas
Apr 10 '16 at 8:49
1
1
Don't read lines with
for– glenn jackman
Apr 10 '16 at 11:56
Don't read lines with
for– glenn jackman
Apr 10 '16 at 11:56
|
show 4 more comments
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