Comparing modified times of files

[Kris Stephens [Hail Eris!]]

In article <6350 at amc-gw.amc.com> stuart at tfatf.amc.com (Stuart Poulin) writes:
>In article <930001 at mjm.mjm.com> mjf at mjm.mjm.com (Mark Fresolone) writes:
>>	ls -t file1 file2 | line	# returns newest
>>	ls -rt file1 file2 | line	# returns oldest
>
>Or if you don't have "line":
>    ls -t file1 file2 | (read XX; echo $XX)     # returns newest
>    ls -rt file1 file2 |  (read XX; echo $XX)   # returns oldest

Okay, so this is sort of fun.  How 'bout:

# sh or ksh fragment
newest() {
	set -- ls -t $* 2>/dev/null
	echo $1
	}
oldest() {
	set -- ls -rt $* 2>/dev/null
	echo $1
	}

echo "The newest existing file in your list is `newest $*`"
echo "The oldest existing file in your list is `oldest $*`"
# end sh or ksh fragment

...Kris
-- 
Kristopher Stephens, | (408-746-6047) | krs at uts.amdahl.com | KC6DFS
Amdahl Corporation   |                |                    |
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