Craig White wrote: > On Mon, 2005-02-28 at 20:30 -0700, Kevin wrote: > >>On Mon, 2005-02-28 at 20:05 -0700, Craig White wrote: >> >>> if ${i:6:5} = "START" >>> then printf $i >> $outfile >>> else >>> printf "if (!function_exists('_prefs_hook_$i')) { \n\n" >> >>>$outfile >>> >>> fi >> >> >>Maybe something like this? >> if `echo $i | awk '{print substr($i,6,5)}'` = "START" >> >>I have not tried it. I'm just guessing. :) But seriously, the >>substring function of awk (substr) jumped to mind. You might be able to >>leverage it. I don't have my bash book handy, but there is probably a >>more elegant way to handle this directly in bash. > > ---- > that may be a very good conditional... > > but the problem I am having is still the part... > > do if `echo $i | awk '{print substr($i,6,5)}'` = "START" > > which actually tries to execute the results of the substring function, > much like my previous example with the substring function I was trying > to do directly in bash. > > there is sort of black art thing to shell scripting that I didn't learn > and my bash book doesn't impart upon me. if [ conditions ] then fi A few things to note, spaces are between the brackets and the conditions so: if [ conditions ] will work, but: if [conditions] will not work. Second, = is the assignment variable, == is the test conditional --------------------------------------------------- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change you mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss