Create text file and fill it using bash

Question

I need to create a text file (unless it already exists) and write a new line to the file all using bash.

I\'m sure it\'s simple, but could anyone explain this to me?

Answer 1

If you're wanting this as a script, the following Bash script should do what you want (plus tell you when the file already exists):

#!/bin/bash
if [ -e $1 ]; then
  echo "File $1 already exists!"
else
  echo >> $1
fi

If you don't want the "already exists" message, you can use:

#!/bin/bash
if [ ! -e $1 ]; then
  echo >> $1
fi

Edit about using:

Save whichever version with a name you like, let's say "create_file" (quotes mine, you don't want them in the file name). Then, to make the file executatble, at a command prompt do:

chmod u+x create_file

Put the file in a directory in your path, then use it with:

create_file NAME_OF_NEW_FILE

The $1 is a special shell variable which takes the first argument on the command line after the program name; i.e. $1 will pick up NAME_OF_NEW_FILE in the above usage example.