Bash Script to load all files in a directory/sub-directories into a Array

Question

I am trying to write a script that will load all file names with paths into an array in a bash script.

Say I want all folders and subfolder's files in /home/documents/ it will give me the array of files at the end.

My current Script is very basic, but should has some functionality.

num_partitions=0
for file in /home/documents/*; do
  date_partition[$num_partitions]=${file##*/}
  ((num_partitions++))
  echo ${date_partition} 
done

Currently it only prints a black screen. How can I fix it to attain the functionality I need and to print our properly?

I am new to Bash, this is actually my first Script. Please Help.

A Brothers · Accepted Answer · 2016-11-08 17:45:31Z

2

First off, generally, you don't want to parse the output of ls... http://mywiki.wooledge.org/ParsingLs

Next, The logic of your approach isn't wrong. There is an easier method that we can use to accomplish this task though!

ar=( $(find /home/documents/*) ); echo "${#ar[@]}"; echo "${ar[2]}"

Breaking it down we have.

$( find /home/documents/* )

This is a command substitution. It captures the output of the command that is written inside it. With this you can do something like output=$( find .) and now output is a variable that contains the results of the find command.

Next we have

ar=()

() Creates an array. The input to this array is now going to be the output of the find command. So when we put them together we end up with "Create an array from the output of this find command".

The rest of the command is just showing that ar is actually an array. We print out the length of the array and then the value at index 2.

Suggested Googling would be... command substitution in bash. Making an array from a command in bash. How to use arrays in bash.

NOTE: Realize that the command within the $( ) can include | to other commands such as find . | tr -d "." | ./some_other_command. Also i suggest reading the man page of find since "." and ".." may appear in your array as it is written now.

answered Nov 8, 2016 at 17:45

A Brothers

5362 silver badges9 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

glenn jackman Over a year ago

Even simpler: arr=(/home/documents/*) -- that will expand the filename pattern into the array. This is safer than $(find...) in the case of filenames containing whitespace.

A Brothers Over a year ago

Good point. I'm very very used to not needing to deal with files that have spaces in them. However the point remains that there's no reason to use an extra tool if it is not needed.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Bash Script to load all files in a directory/sub-directories into a Array

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related