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bashrsync

Correct bash syntax for path with space and comma

I am using rsync to backup data. Now I have troubles backing up a folder that contains a comma and a space character. I use an array with source names:

dirs=(
    /home/user/Desktop
    ...
    /home/user/foo, bar
)

What is the correct syntax for the last entry?

Solution

  • Just quote them:

    dirs=(
    '/home/user/Desktop'
    ...
    '/home/user/foo, bar'
)

    This prevents word splitting from occurring. As these are string literals (no expansion of variables, for example), I prefer to use single quotes.

    Presumably you plan on looping through these directories, in which case, you should also quote the variable inside the loop:

    for dir in "${dirs[@]}"; do
    rsync command using "$dir"
done

    Double quotes are needed here so that word splitting isn't performed but the variable is still expanded.