Use predefined variable in function

Question

Could be possible to use predefined variable after function is executed. Ex.:

var="host1 host2"
function test {
echo $1
echo $2
}
test var host3

Expected result should to be:

host1 host2 
host3

Not sure how use define that variable like local or something else ...

test "$var" host3 ??

Anubis
– Anubis

2017-08-09 11:52:58 +00:00
Commented Aug 9, 2017 at 11:52 — Anubis
– Anubis, Commented Aug 9, 2017 at 11:52

anubhava · Accepted Answer · 2017-08-09 11:41:07Z

3

You can have this code in your function with indirect variable reference

testfn() {
   for v; do
      echo "${!v:-$v}"
   done
}

var="host1 host2"

then call it as:

testfn var host3

which will print this output:

host1 host2
host3

Expression "${!v:-$v}" attempts to reference a variable with the string contained in $v and if it is not set then used $v (which is positional argument string).

answered Aug 9, 2017 at 11:41

anubhava

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4 Comments

anubhava Over a year ago

Probably you are right. I posted it in case OP wants it the way it is shown in question.

Inian Over a year ago

I just deleted my answer to make this de-facto!

anubhava Over a year ago

@Inian No you should keep your answer as that is simple and it might resolve OP's problem.

Inian Over a year ago

Nah! this is more comprehensive, just do an edit of yours with that!

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