mkdir multiple subfolders in bash script

Question

I have the following script:

#!/bin/bash
path="/parentfolder/{child_1,child_2}"
mkdir -p $path
mkdir -p /parentfolder/{child_3,child_4}

Running it creates the following folders:

/parentfolder/{child_1,child_2}
/parentfolder/child_3
/parentfolder/child_4

How can I make the script create the following folder structure:

/parentfolder/child_1
/parentfolder/child_2
/parentfolder/child_3
/parentfolder/child_4

The manual explains how shell expansions work. Brace expansion occurs before parameter (variable) expansion, so the braces in the parameter value are not expanded. — Jonathan Leffler
– Jonathan Leffler, Commented Aug 22, 2015 at 7:58

anubhava · Accepted Answer · 2015-08-22 07:05:54Z

3

You cannot use brace expansion in a quoted variable; either put the braces in the command itself, or assign the variable differently. If you need the values to be in a variable, using an array would seem suitable.

#!/bin/bash

paths=(/parentfolder/{child_1,child_2,child_3,child_4})
mkdir -p "${paths[@]}"

edited Aug 22, 2015 at 7:05

anubhava

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answered Aug 22, 2015 at 7:00

tripleee

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Comments

Kessem Lee · Accepted Answer · 2015-08-22 06:51:27Z

0

path=`echo /parentfolder/{child_1,child_2}`

expansion needs a command to work properly.

answered Aug 22, 2015 at 6:51

Kessem Lee

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