Why should I escape the semicolon with find?












2















I'm using bash on Debian. I have to write



find -iname "*mp3" -exec cp {}  /media/MP3Player/ ;


escaping the final semicolon, or else I get an error.






find options







share|improve this question




















  • 1





    -exec command ;

    – Jeff Schaller
    Jan 4 at 20:20
















2















I'm using bash on Debian. I have to write



find -iname "*mp3" -exec cp {}  /media/MP3Player/ ;


escaping the final semicolon, or else I get an error.






find options







share|improve this question




















  • 1





    -exec command ;

    – Jeff Schaller
    Jan 4 at 20:20














2












2








2








I'm using bash on Debian. I have to write



find -iname "*mp3" -exec cp {}  /media/MP3Player/ ;


escaping the final semicolon, or else I get an error.






find options







share|improve this question
















I'm using bash on Debian. I have to write



find -iname "*mp3" -exec cp {}  /media/MP3Player/ ;


escaping the final semicolon, or else I get an error.






find options




find options






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Jan 5 at 12:41







Poor Standard

















asked Jan 4 at 20:16









Poor StandardPoor Standard

133




133








  • 1





    -exec command ;

    – Jeff Schaller
    Jan 4 at 20:20














  • 1





    -exec command ;

    – Jeff Schaller
    Jan 4 at 20:20








1




1





-exec command ;

– Jeff Schaller
Jan 4 at 20:20





-exec command ;

– Jeff Schaller
Jan 4 at 20:20










1 Answer
1






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oldest

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9














You have to escape the semicolon so that your current shell doesn't see it and use it as a command separator before find gets to see it and use it to terminate the command you're sending to -exec.



Also, the manual does state in relevant part:




-exec utility [argument ...] ;



[...]



The expression must be terminated by a semi-
colon (;). If you invoke find from a shell you may need to quote the semicolon if the shell would otherwise treat it as a
control operator.




n. b. quickly searching my find manual shows examples of the ; syntax.






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    1 Answer
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    active

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    active

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    active

    oldest

    votes









    9














    You have to escape the semicolon so that your current shell doesn't see it and use it as a command separator before find gets to see it and use it to terminate the command you're sending to -exec.



    Also, the manual does state in relevant part:




    -exec utility [argument ...] ;



    [...]



    The expression must be terminated by a semi-
    colon (;). If you invoke find from a shell you may need to quote the semicolon if the shell would otherwise treat it as a
    control operator.




    n. b. quickly searching my find manual shows examples of the ; syntax.






    share|improve this answer






























      9














      You have to escape the semicolon so that your current shell doesn't see it and use it as a command separator before find gets to see it and use it to terminate the command you're sending to -exec.



      Also, the manual does state in relevant part:




      -exec utility [argument ...] ;



      [...]



      The expression must be terminated by a semi-
      colon (;). If you invoke find from a shell you may need to quote the semicolon if the shell would otherwise treat it as a
      control operator.




      n. b. quickly searching my find manual shows examples of the ; syntax.






      share|improve this answer




























        9












        9








        9







        You have to escape the semicolon so that your current shell doesn't see it and use it as a command separator before find gets to see it and use it to terminate the command you're sending to -exec.



        Also, the manual does state in relevant part:




        -exec utility [argument ...] ;



        [...]



        The expression must be terminated by a semi-
        colon (;). If you invoke find from a shell you may need to quote the semicolon if the shell would otherwise treat it as a
        control operator.




        n. b. quickly searching my find manual shows examples of the ; syntax.






        share|improve this answer















        You have to escape the semicolon so that your current shell doesn't see it and use it as a command separator before find gets to see it and use it to terminate the command you're sending to -exec.



        Also, the manual does state in relevant part:




        -exec utility [argument ...] ;



        [...]



        The expression must be terminated by a semi-
        colon (;). If you invoke find from a shell you may need to quote the semicolon if the shell would otherwise treat it as a
        control operator.




        n. b. quickly searching my find manual shows examples of the ; syntax.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited Jan 4 at 20:22

























        answered Jan 4 at 20:17









        DopeGhotiDopeGhoti

        44.2k55683




        44.2k55683






























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