Defensive File Operations

Dry Run File Action

Preview or Apply

A dry-run flag lets a script show the intended file action before applying it. The same target can produce a preview or an apply plan.

Program

Play the script to choose dry-run mode and see the file action plan.

dry_run_file_action.sh 
#!/usr/bin/env bash

dry_run=
path="build/tmp"
if [ "$dry_run" -eq 1 ]; then
    action="would remove $path"
else
    action="remove $path"
fi
echo "$action"

#!/usr/bin/env bash

dry_run=
path="build/tmp"
if [ "$dry_run" -eq 1 ]; then
    action="would remove $path"
else
    action="remove $path"
fi
echo "$action"
dry run A dry run previews the action without applying it.
apply mode Apply mode should be explicit and visible.
file action Destructive file actions are safer when the exact path is displayed first.