script help

[LarryH]

I want to check to see if a couple of directories exist and if not create them before running rest of the script

I’m using if-then-else statements but that is not working for me. I find I have to run the script 3 times: 1st-time it creates the first directory, 2nd – it creates the second directory and then 3rd – time it runs the rest of the script. After the directories have been created the script runs fine. I just don’t want it to have to run it three times before it works as it should.
Thanks

#!/bin/sh

if [ ! -d $ZZdesktop ]; then
    mkdir -p $ZZdesktop
else

        if [ ! -d $ZZdocuments ]; then
             mkdir -p $ZZdocuments
        else

rsync -ahv --progress --delete "/Users/$CUser/Desktop/" /Users/$CUser/Box Sync/$CUser/zz_backup/z_desktop/ 2>> /Users/Shared/${CUser}syncerror_desktop

        fi
fi

[alexjdale · Accepted solution]

It's because of the "else" statements. First time it runs, it does "mkdir -p $ZZdesktop" and then bails on the rest because the rest is in an "else" statement. It will follow the "else" branch the next time it runs.

I think you can just make them two separate "if" statements.

#!/bin/sh

if [ ! -d $ZZdesktop ]; then
    mkdir -p $ZZdesktop
fi

if [ ! -d $ZZdocuments ]; then
    mkdir -p $ZZdocuments
fi

rsync -ahv --progress --delete "/Users/$CUser/Desktop/" /Users/$CUser/Box Sync/$CUser/zz_backup/z_desktop/ 2>> /Users/Shared/${CUser}syncerror_desktop

[bpavlov]

would definitely go with what @alexjdale says. if you insist on using 'else' though here is what it would look like

#!/bin/sh

if [ ! -d $ZZdesktop ]; then
    mkdir -p $ZZdesktop
    mkdir -p $ZZdocuments
    rsync -ahv --progress --delete "/Users/$CUser/Desktop/" /Users/$CUser/Box Sync/$CUser/zz_backup/z_desktop/ 2>> /Users/Shared/${CUser}syncerror_desktop
else 
    if [ ! -d $ZZdocuments ]; then
        mkdir -p $ZZdocuments
        rsync -ahv --progress --delete "/Users/$CUser/Desktop/" /Users/$CUser/Box Sync/$CUser/zz_backup/z_desktop/ 2>> /Users/Shared/${CUser}syncerror_desktop
    else
        rsync -ahv --progress --delete "/Users/$CUser/Desktop/" /Users/$CUser/Box Sync/$CUser/zz_backup/z_desktop/ 2>> /Users/Shared/${CUser}syncerror_desktop    
    fi
fi

Not pretty. A lot of duplicated effort.

[mm2270]

+1 to @alexjdale's suggestion. Check for each needed directory in its own if/then block. By the time the script reaches the rsync line, everything should be in place to run correctly.
Although its not actually clear why those folders are being created based on what you posted. I assume there is more to the script we aren't seeing.

[LarryH]

Thanks @alexjdale so simple, @bpave777 not sure why I was thinking it needed the else statement.

@mm2270 No I did not post the entire script, just the part that had me stumped, thanks.

[sean]

If you are going to run the same command multiple times, you could set an array and then iterate.

#!/bin/bash

declare -a MakeDirs=( '/Volumes/Users/user1/test' 
                        '/Volumes/Users/user2/test' )

for each_dir in "${MakeDirs[@]}"
do
        if [[ ! -d "$each_dir" ]]
        then
                mkdir -p "$each_dir"
        fi
done

exit 0