Bash: adding directory names into array

Question

As title says, I want to add directory names into an array, but can't figure it out how. This is what I have so far:

path=some/path/in/linux

declare -a categ_array

for d in ${path}/*; do
    #strip directory name of the path
     dir_name=${d##*/}

     #add the directory name into array
     categ_array+=("${dir_name}")
done

echo ${categ_array}

This code outputs only 1 directory name (doesn't matter how many directories i have).

${categ_array} expands to only the first element of the array. You should use ${categ_array[@]} instead. Also, loop can be replaced with: categ_array=("$path"/*). — randomir
– randomir, Commented Nov 20, 2017 at 15:16
@randomir You would want to follow up the initial assignment with categ_array=( "${categ_array[@]##*/") to strip the leading directory name from each element. Or, use pushd "$path"; categ_array=(*); popd to avoid adding it to each element in the first place. — chepner
– chepner, Commented Nov 20, 2017 at 15:33
@chepner, you're right, I missed the part where OP strips directories. — randomir
– randomir, Commented Nov 20, 2017 at 15:36

anubhava · Accepted Answer · 2017-11-20 15:12:32Z

4

You need to use this command to print all directories:

echo "${categ_array[@]}"

Though you can avoid loop and just use:

cd "$path"
categ_array=()
categ_array+=(*/)

examine the results:

declare -p categ_array

answered Nov 20, 2017 at 15:12

anubhava

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