5

this is day one for me for bash. perhaps this question has already been asked, but i've tried google and have come up empty. maybe because i don't know how to articulate my question.

i have a custom/inhouse linux program that prompts the end user with a bunch of questions... and ultimately uses those questions to set up some servers. now i want to automate this so that a bash script will call the bin file and provide static answers. ideally i want to save the answers in a file, in the order that they are asked, and just feed it to the program.

Right now, I've been looking at sample scripts that read files. But I can't find an example that combines using file input and supplying answers to a program.

any pointers would be appreciated.

EDIT 1

I've tried to do the following: 

#!/bin/bash
echo "This script is about to call mytestapp"
mytestapp
printf 'lab\nci1\n6cr\n197\n0\n252\n888\n4\n\nAmerica/Toronto\n
~

When I run this, the "mytestapp" program launchs, but it sits there at the first question, waiting for input like this: 

dev1:~# sh /tmp/test_wrapper.sh 
This script is about to call mytestapp
Enter the 3-letter location code (e.g. usa):

And the printf statement in the script never kicks in.

EDIT 2

i found my mistake. needed to pipe the params into the app: 

 printf 'lab\nci1\n6cr\n197\n0\n252\n888\n4\n\nAmerica/Toronto\n' | mytestapp
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2

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
3

You can use your printf command, but it's usually easier to understand and maintain using a here-document:

mytestapp <<EOF
lab
i1
6cr
197
0
252
888
4

America/Toronto
EOF
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