Create a script to search a directory and delete files

[tkerr]

Hey all,
I need to create a script that searchs through the files of a directory for a string that would actually be inside of the file (it is actually an email address (ie test@test.com)), if the string is found, I need it to delete the file.

I have a mail filter queue on my firewall and it keeps getting cluttered with messages from the postmaster and the daemon. I need to delete any files in the queue that have come from the either of those mailboxes. I cannot delete all the contents of the directory because I would be getting rid of email that is supposed to be there.

I have never created a script before and am looking for some help, any you could offer would be appreciated.
Tim

 

[PHV]

man find
man fgrep (the -l option)
man xargs
man rm

Hope This Helps, PH.
Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884 or FAQ222-2244

 

[RodKnowlton]

I'd suggest, especially since you're new to scripting, that you move the files to a holding area, rather than delete them. That way any misfire in your script will have less dire repercussions.

Something like this:

for file in `ls` 
do
grep test@test.com $file > /dev/null 2>&1 && mv $file other/dir
done

This searches each file for test@test.com, throwing away the output, and if it finds it, moves the file.



Rod Knowlton
IBM Certified Advanced Technical Expert pSeries and AIX 5L

 

[RodKnowlton]

sheesh,

/other/dir

I meant to say.