how to designate block of code

[redsss]

I need the unix shell equivalent to the "perl" die command

e.g. die "you must be root user to run this so goodbye"

I would expect this to work but it doesnt

[ "$UID" = "0" ] || (echo your not root so goodbye; exit -1 )
echo if you see this then you must be root

Is there a way to group the 2 commands as a block without making an actual "if" block?

 

[PHV]

[ "$UID" = "0" ] || { echo your not root so goodbye; exit -1; }
Use curly braces instead of parentheses.

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

 

[redsss]

I had tried that unsuccessfully, but in addition I now see that you have to have a space after the opening brace and a semicolon and space before the closing brace. thanks!

 

[ericbrunson]

P.S. it should be "you're". ;-)

 

[chipperMDW]

You might save yourself some typing by encapsulating that in a function:

function die
{
    [ "$1" ] && echo $1 >&2
    exit 1
}

[ "$UID" = "0 ] || die "You're not root."

The reason your original attempt didn't work was because commands envlosed in parentheses are run in a subshell, and the exit command caused the subshell to exit, but not the top level one running the rest of your script.


By the way, I second the grammar correction. It's annoying enough to read that mistake in general; it's extra annoying when a program says it to you.

You should take extra care in writing a program's output; you don't want every person who actually knows English to find your program annoying and unprofessional.