Hi all, I'm trying to prompt user for input using "read" in ksh script. I want to quit, if the user doen't input any value for say "45" seconds. Can anyone help me accomplish this task? Thanks

Heh, nice little problem, I thought it would be easy, but I am working on it.

I cant figure this one out. Problem it seems is that when you issue the read command it puts the script on "hold". Ill keep thinking/working on it and post a something tomorrow (explaination as to why not if I cant get it :)

Abby, On HP-UX use "reply=`line -t 45` refer to "man line" for detail description. This is not portable to other Unix. If you are not using HP-UX please specify which kind of unix you are using. No RISK no fun Frank

Abby, In the menawhile i wrote the following: It is a litel bit long and uncomfortable but it past the first tests. DATE_TIMEOUT=45 FILE_PID=/tmp/`basename $0`_$$ echo $$ > $FILE_PID kill_time () { sleep $DATE_TIMEOUT if [ -f $FILE_PID ] then kill -9 `cat $FILE_PID` rm $FILE_PID fi } kill_time& echo "\007kann den echt keiner lesen ? (y or n, default: y) \c" read testen rm $FILE_PID echo $testen No RSIK no fun Frank

That looks like a nice solution Frank. Will have to check it out. So ist das leben(sp).

Steve, es ist wie es ist, und es wird wie wir es machen. :-) Kleiner philosophischer anfall. No RSIK no fun Frank