How do I tell when a directory is empty in a script?

[Bernd Felsche]

I suppose this might have been mentioned before.... If you can write
to the parent, then try to rmdir it. rmdir will fail (to the best of
my knowledge/experience) if there's anything in the directory.

rmdir $dir && mkdir $dir || echo $dir not empty 1>&2

Good enough?  Thought not!
-- 
Bernd Felsche,                 _--_|\   #include <std/disclaimer.h>
Metapro Systems,              / sale \  Fax:   +61 9 472 3337
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