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Unix script wait to complete

If i have a cron job that runs a file, say called run.

and in run we have some commands, including another file to run, specified by say

/home/users/this.sh

The file this.sh is run but the original file run continues to other commands without waiting for this.sh to complete, right?

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bobalob

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shankshank

ASKER

so how would i utilize that in this script

bobalob

Literally you can insert the wait command after the command you wish to wait for. For example...

There is an example on the Wikipedia page for the command...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wait_%28command%29

#!/bin/bash

# Parallel update script which makes use of the wait command

# Update local copy
rsync iona:src/ . &
# Upgrade required libraries, or exit indicating failure if make failed for some reason
make -C lib || exit 1

# Wait for rsync to terminate (may have already happened) and finish the job, unless rsync failed
wait && make

There are plenty of examples on the internet, it is very easy to use.

shankshank

ASKER

so i can do this in my run
/home/users/this
wait
cp . /home

so it won't run the cp command until the /home/users/this file is done executing?

bobalob

That is correct

Tintin

Unless there is something highly unusual with your script, there is absolutely no need for using 'wait' as you aren't putting the script in the background.

A simple:

/home/users/this
cp . /home

should be all you need.