Running Linux system commands from Ruby script

Question

I have the following Ruby script that creates a Debian package, which works fine:

#!/usr/bin/ruby

  dest = "#{File.dirname(__FILE__)}/../build"
  package = "foo"

  [
    "cd #{dest} && tar czvf data.tar.gz bin console data.sql etc filter install.rb",
    "cd #{dest} && tar czvf control.tar.gz control",
    "cd #{dest} && echo 2.0 > debian-binary",
    "cd #{dest} && ar -cr #{package}.deb debian-binary control.tar.gz data.tar.gz",
    "cd #{dest} && mv #{package}.deb ..",
    "cd #{dest} && rm data.tar.gz control.tar.gz",
  ].each do |command|
    puts command
    system(command)
  end

Is there a way in Ruby where I can leave off the "cd #{dest} &&" part of each command?

sepp2k · Accepted Answer · 2010-07-09 21:31:15Z

6

Dir.chdir(dest) do
  # code that shall be executed while in the dest directory
end

Dir.chdir when invoked with a block will change to the given directory, execute the block and then change back.

You can also use it without a block, in which case it will never change back.

answered Jul 9, 2010 at 21:31

sepp2k

372k56 gold badges687 silver badges687 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

Chip Castle Over a year ago

Sweet. Worked like a charm. Thanks!

Adrian · Accepted Answer · 2010-07-09 21:32:13Z

2

Yes. Use Dir.chdir:

#!/usr/bin/ruby

  dest = "#{File.dirname(__FILE__)}/../build"
  package = "foo"

  Dir.chdir dest
  [
    "tar czvf data.tar.gz bin console data.sql etc filter install.rb",
    "tar czvf control.tar.gz control",
    "echo 2.0 > debian-binary",
    "ar -cr #{package}.deb debian-binary control.tar.gz data.tar.gz",
    "mv #{package}.deb ..",
    "rm data.tar.gz control.tar.gz",
  ].each do |command|
    puts command
    system(command)
  end

answered Jul 9, 2010 at 21:32

Adrian

15.2k9 gold badges51 silver badges73 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Running Linux system commands from Ruby script

2 Answers 2

1 Comment

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

1 Comment

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related