[shell-discuss] Aquiring locks in a shell script?

[Hugh McIntyre]

Hugh McIntyre wrote:
> Kyle McDonald wrote:
>> Any advice on a good way to acquire a lock in a shell script?
> 
> 1.  Install procmail.
> 
> 2.  Use the following:
> 
>     if lockfile $FILE ; then
>         # do stuff with the file locked....
>         rm -f $FILE
>     fi

Hmm.  An important correction is, generally, to use:

        lockfile ${FILE}.lock
        # do stuff
        rm -f ${FILE}.lock
                     ^^^^^

I.e. don't remove the original file, of course...

Hugh.