Syntax error when comparing directories

Question

I keep getting the following error when running the following command: bash - syntax error near unexpected token (.

A=/dev1/annemarie/
B=/home/annemarie/
diff -u <(find "$B" |sed "s:$B::") <(find "$A" | sed "s:$A::") | sed "/^+\//!d; s::$A/:"

or

diff -u <(find " B=/home/annemarie/" |sed "s: B=/home/annemarie/::") <(find "/dev1/annemarie/" | sed "s:/dev1/annemarie/::") | sed "/^+\//!d; s::/dev1/annemarie//:"

or

echo "diff -u <(find \"$B\" |sed \"s:$B::\") <(find \"$A\" | sed \"s:$A::\") | sed \"/^+\//!d; s::$A/:\" >> /tmp/$$.sh

Where is the problem?

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Dec 17 '17 at 23:05

2

Scripts with process substitution must be run via bash, not sh. Ensure that the shebang references /bin/bash and/or that the script is being passed to bash on the command line.

answered Dec 17 '17 at 23:05

Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams

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Thanks, I've updated the question to include a second example. Is the syntax correct? – methuselah Dec 17 '17 at 23:15
The syntax is fine *if you're not running bash in compatibility mode* (or if you're running, say, zsh presumably). – Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams Dec 17 '17 at 23:16
Hmm okay... and if I am not doing this, is there a way to make it compatible? – methuselah Dec 17 '17 at 23:17
Temporary files. – Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams Dec 17 '17 at 23:17
I tried it and it still doesn't work. Error message is: `bash - syntax error near unexpected token (.` – methuselah Dec 17 '17 at 23:28
What version of bash are you running? – Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams Dec 17 '17 at 23:39
Not sure. Just wrapped everything in `bash -c 'xxxxxx'` and it worked – methuselah Dec 17 '17 at 23:40

Syntax error when comparing directories

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