Very Computer

by **John Mans** » Wed, 06 Feb 2002 02:16:03

Is there a clean way to exit tail -f <file> running within a shell
script and stay within the script? ctl-c stops tail but also exits
the script. Dazed & Confused.

by **Ben Altma** » Wed, 06 Feb 2002 02:29:11

> Is there a clean way to exit tail -f <file> running within a shell
> script and stay within the script? ctl-c stops tail but also exits
> the script. Dazed & Confused.

You could trap ctrl-c that would kill the tail and continue in your
script.
trap "kill \$!" INT
tail -f file &
wait
trap - INT

regards,
Ben

by **Larry Sta** » Wed, 06 Feb 2002 02:51:27

Quote:>Is there a clean way to exit tail -f <file> running within a shell
>script and stay within the script? ctl-c stops tail but also exits
>the script. Dazed & Confused.

You didn't mention which shell you are using, or on what condition's you
wish to exit the "tail -f".

If you with to let the tail run for some pre-determined amount of time
you might try:
tail -f <file> &
sleep <seconds>
kill -2 %1
or an equivalent that works with your shell.
If you wish to terminate it on command, perhaps:
tail -f <file> &
read ans
kill -2 %1
which would wait for any keystroke from the keyboard and then
kill the "tail -f".

Good luck,
--

=============================================================
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Very Computer

Tail -f

Tail -f

Tail -f

Tail -f