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I am creating a bash script for generating certificates. The openssl command that creates a certificate asks for keyboard input. This is every time the same sequence of keys: seven times [ENTER] followed by two times ['y' + ENTER]. How can I do this programmatically?

Update

I was able to reduce eliminate the required keyboard input using the command line parameters:

  • -config FILE to specify a config file
  • -passin PWD and -passout PWD to specify a password

For more details you can have a look at my experiments. This url is checkout-able with subversion.

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    i think this belongs on server fault Commented Apr 7, 2010 at 12:43

4 Answers 4

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One way to simulate user interaction is expect.

With OpenSSL specifically, you could just write a configuration file that does not require any input for the task you want to perform. (see man 5ssl config)

For a good example of how to script opennssl, see CACerts CSRGenerator script.

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After perusing the man files I learned how to pass the required fields either as command line params or in a config file. Thanks.
@StackedCrooked - I have a similar problem. Can you post an answer with the command line or config file params that you used to solve this problem? I think me and others will benefit from it.
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Since it's asking for keyboard input, just give it something to read.

I suppose yes | your_script would work, otherwise you could just write the following sequence to its input:

\n\n\n\n\n\n\ny\ny\n
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Expect is pretty good at this kind of thing. Other languages will let you do this (far less conveniently) through their popen-style facilities.

You might be able to pipe the characters in as @tusbar suggests, but tools like openssl may insist on you typing it in (something Expect gets around by setting up pseudo-terminals).

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You can also use a here document to include input directly in your bash script:

interactive-program <<LimitString
command #1
command #2
...
LimitString

(But the configuration file option suggested by @hop is still the best idea).

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