Problem with brackets using shell_exec

[229257]

Hi,

Was wondering if someone could help with the following problem? I want to execute a shell command but i think there is a problem with the brackets because i get a parse error. The command works from the command line but not through PHP. Any ideas?

$output = shell_exec('ypcat passwd | awk '{if (substr($0,1,2)=="sh") print}'');

Thanks
00229257

 

[Chacalinc]

$output = shell_exec([red]'[/red]ypcat passwd | awk [red]'[/red]{if (substr($0,1,2)=="sh") print}'');

note that with the 2nd [red]'[/red] you are closing the command!

Cheers.

Chacal, Inc.

 

[229257]

Hi, yeah i realised this but i'm unsure on how to correct it? I've tried every combination of brackets but cant get it to work.

Thanks
00229257

 

[Chacalinc]

try with \'

$output = shell_exec('ypcat passwd | awk [red]\'[/red]{if (substr($0,1,2)=="sh") print}[red]\'[/red]');

Chacal, Inc.

 

[229257]

Thanks for that it works a treat!!

And here's the but....

How can i pass a php variable with this command? I tried;

$passwdline = shell_exec('ypcat passwd | awk \'{if (substr($0,1,2)=="$username") print}\'');

and

$passwdline = shell_exec('ypcat passwd | awk \'{if (substr($0,1,2)==$username) print}\'');

but no luck?

Thanks for your help
00229257

 

[Chacalinc]

hmmm...

$passwdline = shell_exec('ypcat passwd | awk \'{if (substr($0,1,2)==[red]' . $username . '[/red]) print}\'');

try it.

Cheers.

Chacal, Inc.

 

[Chacalinc]

I guess this is best.. closing between " " the username:

$passwdline = shell_exec('ypcat passwd | awk \'{if (substr($0,1,2)==[red]"' . $username . '"[/red]) print}\'');

Cheers.

Chacal, Inc.