LDP/LDP/guide/docbook/abs-guide/timed-input.sh

59 lines
1.3 KiB
Bash

#!/bin/bash
# timed-input.sh
# TMOUT=3 Also works, as of newer versions of Bash.
TIMER_INTERRUPT=14
TIMELIMIT=3 # Three seconds in this instance.
# May be set to different value.
PrintAnswer()
{
if [ "$answer" = TIMEOUT ]
then
echo $answer
else # Don't want to mix up the two instances.
echo "Your favorite veggie is $answer"
kill $! # Kills no-longer-needed TimerOn function
#+ running in background.
# $! is PID of last job running in background.
fi
}
TimerOn()
{
sleep $TIMELIMIT && kill -s 14 $$ &
# Waits 3 seconds, then sends sigalarm to script.
}
Int14Vector()
{
answer="TIMEOUT"
PrintAnswer
exit $TIMER_INTERRUPT
}
trap Int14Vector $TIMER_INTERRUPT
# Timer interrupt (14) subverted for our purposes.
echo "What is your favorite vegetable "
TimerOn
read answer
PrintAnswer
# Admittedly, this is a kludgy implementation of timed input.
# However, the "-t" option to "read" simplifies this task.
# See the "t-out.sh" script.
# However, what about timing not just single user input,
#+ but an entire script?
# If you need something really elegant ...
#+ consider writing the application in C or C++,
#+ using appropriate library functions, such as 'alarm' and 'setitimer.'
exit 0