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From: James Harrison <jamesh@lanl.gov>
To: "Mikhail T." <mi@aldan.algebra.com>
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References: <200712192322.lBJNMfps053071@aldan.algebra.com>
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Organization: Los Alamos National Labs
Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2007 16:55:45 -0700
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Cc: questions@freebsd.org
Subject: Re: tail does not exit
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On Wed, 2007-12-19 at 18:22 -0500, Mikhail T. wrote:
>         #!/bin/sh
> 
>         if tail -f /var/log/messages | awk '{print "Exiting"; exit 0}'
>         then
>                 echo Exited
>         else
>                 echo Failed
>         fi
> 
>         exit 0 

I assume it has something to do with tail -f being used, rather than
tail. Is there a reason you want the -f flag?

tail -f holds on for dear life until a ctrl-c happens. IT HAS A DEATH
GRIP!

James