[ale] scripts, file I/O, and loss of hair

[Geoffrey Myers]

James Sumners wrote:
> Also:
> 
> "When the old-style backquoted form of substitution is used, backslash
> retains its literal meaning except when followed by "$", "`", or "\".
> The first backticks not preceded by a backslash terminates the command
> substitution. When using the "$(COMMAND)" form, all characters between
> the parentheses make up the command; none are treated specially." --
> [1]
> 
> $(echo "This is much nicer than backquotes.")
> 
> [1] -- http://tldp.org/LDP/Bash-Beginners-Guide/html/sect_03_04.html#sect_03_04_04
> 
> On Thu, May 12, 2011 at 5:14 PM, The Don Lachlan
> <ale-at-ale.org at unpopularminds.org> wrote:
>> Also,
>>
>>  directions=$(cat $2)
>>
>> should be replaced by
>>
>>  directions=`<${1}`

I think the solution you want is:

directions=$(<${2})


-- 
Until later, Geoffrey

"I predict future happiness for America if they can prevent
the government from wasting the labors of the people under
the pretense of taking care of them."
- Thomas Jefferson