An exercise for you...

[RainbowViper]

I have a problem, and I'm hoping someone here has the answer...

I have a list of files, one filename per line, in a text file titled "files.txt".

I want to use this file as an *input list* for a "batch copy" command.

In DOS, you could do this with the batch commands, similar to:

FOR %%A IN "files.txt" DO BEGIN COPY %%A ../path/ NEXT
(Or something like that. I forget the exact command syntax.)

But I need the linux equivalent, and have Googled until I'm blue in the face. I suspect my search terms aren't quite right.

Does anyone know the command syntax for that? I'm lost.

Thanks in advance.

[gwyneth]

Mark, if I point you towards the answer will you promise to ask in the right category next time? This one is for offering or seeking PAID services.

First, have you checked the excellent thread in our own dedi category? Basic To Advanced Linux Commands - HostGator Peer Support Forums

Also:

Linux Commands - A practical reference

The humble Linux cheat sheet

Linux Command -Line Syntax Reference List

And, for your immediate purposes:

DOS to Linux Cheat Sheet

Linux Cheat Sheet for Mac and Windows Programmers - MDC

[RainbowViper]

Well... the forum description doesn't say anything about "paid services".

"Use this forum to request or offer special services from your fellow users. Things such as graphic design, custom scripting, etc. See inside for more info." (bold emphasis mine)

Perhaps the description can be amended to say so?

While I appreciate the links, and will check them out, I was hoping someone would just reply with a simple example. Google was a dead-end but, as I said, the search terms I used may have been to blame.

A moderator is welcome to move the post.

Thanks, Gwen.

[gwyneth]

OK, I'm sorry to provoke a Monday morning response. It was to get more answers from the 'nixperts, who might not check this category or the thread headline.

You want to grep:

grep "*" filename(s)

* can be a literal string (no spaces unless you want them in the search), or a regular expression.
so:

grep "whatever" wherever.txt

Put a pipe between the grep and copy.


For further reference, because grep is why a lot of people get into Linux:

grep syntax (best on quotes and special characters!!!)

grep regular expression syntax - Finding Files

grep [really quick guide]

[RainbowViper]

Oh, that wasn't a "Monday Morning" response. (Even though it *was* Monday morning.)

I was genuinely curious to know what would have been a better category to put it in.

Grep, eh? Will check it out.

Thanks again!

[RainbowViper]

UPDATE:

Aaaaaand.... it wasn't so painful after all. Grep did the trick, once I figured out how to embed it in the cp command. Assuming the target directory is ../savefiles, it's:

cp `grep . files.txt` ../savefiles

Thanks for the pointer, Gwen. It's solved now.

[gwyneth]

Originally Posted by RainbowViper

I was genuinely curious to know what would have been a better category to put it in.

I, personally, would have put it in either the Webhosting category ("all things hosting...") or the Linux dedi category. Yes, I know you don't have an HG dedi, but for something like this I can't imagine the folks who'd answer care.

And, IMO, you'd have been better (i.e., sooner) served, no matter what the category, with a heading such as "Linux syntax question"...the combination of your heading with this category was unfortunate (until I read it, I figured you were blowing off some spammer whose "exercise" had something to do with justifying whatever service or product s/he was pushing.)

If you're still having trouble, post in the Linux dedi category with a link to this thread (so you don't need to either re-type, or fend off the 'have you tried grep?' questions. And to make it easier for any 'nixpert explaining why grep isn't as good as "*", whatever their suggestion for *.)

Anyway, I'm sorry to have sounded cross.

PS: Cross-posting at work. Glad you've gotten it working (and I thought the pipe was the only way to nest stuff).