macOS How do I create a .sh file to copy and replace a file?

[connred]

Hi,
I do not know much and Im just getting into things. I am trying to create a .sh that can take a file, copy it, and then replace it with an existing file. I know how to do it in terminal, but I would to do it with a click of a button.
Anyhelp? I know i'm not very experienced..
Thanks

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

I would to do it with a click of a button.

Shell Scripts (.sh files) are normally entered on the command line to run them, not clicked with a button.

When you're talking about something that only people familiar with the command line are using which doesn't benefit from a visual component, I'd say it's better to just leave it that way, too.

Final thought: I'd recommend Python instead of Shell. Shell scripts only work on *nix systems whereas Python scripts will run anywhere, including but not limited to *nix and Windows.

 

[superscape]

I'd echo what ArtOfWarfare says, although I'd add that you can also call a shell script from an AppleScript which *can* run from a mouse click if you save it as an application. As an example,

set theDate to do shell script "date"

However, if you're going to use AppleScript anyway then there's not really much point stepping out into "do shell script", you can move and delete files easy enough with pure AppleScript.

 

[JustMartin]

Lots of stuff online about writing shell scripts. In summary create a file

On the first line indicate what shell you want to use - something like

#!/bin/sh

follow that with the command(s) that you've been putting into terminal

save the file and make it executable by the command

chmod +x filename

That works if you want to issue the same command over and over again.
If you want to use parameters, then you can refer to them in your script as $1, $2 etc. But, after that you're really getting into the realm of parameter checking, raising errors. All good stuff, but may be overkill for what you need

 

[DJLC]

FWIW, once you get the shell script working the way you want, you can turn it into an app using appify.sh.

https://gist.github.com/mathiasbynens/674099

 

[chown33]

FWIW, once you get the shell script working the way you want, you can turn it into an app using appify.sh.

https://gist.github.com/mathiasbynens/674099

Or just put it into an Automator workflow, with a "Run Shell Script" action.

There are plenty of other builtin actions in Automator, such as copying files.

http://www.raywenderlich.com/58986/automator-for-mac-tutorial-and-examples

http://www.google.com/search?q=automator+Run+Shell+Script

 

[Dargoth]

...or just change the file extension from .sh to .command

OS X will let you run it by double-clicking.