[SOLVED] "su -i user1" not working

manalisharmabe · 04-11-2013, 01:15 AM

Hi all,

System is Solaris10

There is one script which i was able to execute with following entry:-

Code:

 su  user1 -c "/u01/scripts/mfg/_db-start.all"

But when I do this, which asked to do with -i option

Code:

 su -i user1 -c "/u01/scripts/mfg/_db-start.all"

It gives following message:-

Code:

Usage: su [-] [ username [ arg ... ] ]

I searched a lot but I don't know meaning of "-i" option here, what is its meaning?

Thanks,

Manali

sag47 · 04-11-2013, 01:34 AM

Not -i. Just a dash.

Code:

su - user1 -c "somecommand"

The first paragraph from my su man page.

Code:

       The su command is used to become another user during a login session.
       Invoked without a username, su defaults to becoming the superuser. The
       optional argument - may be used to provide an environment similar to
       what the user would expect had the user logged in directly.

Since you thought [-] was -i perhaps you should change your system font to one that allows you to better differentiate characters. Square brackets are usually used to highlight optional arguments that aren't required for command completion. For instance, su can run without any arguments.

shivaa · 04-16-2013, 11:58 AM

Quote:

su user1 -c "/u01/scripts/mfg/_db-start.all"

It will not change working directory to user's home, but will keep the same where you're currently in. So run the cmd as:

Code:

~# su - user1 -c "/u01/scripts/mfg/_db-start.all"

Also check manual for the su cmd here.

chrism01 · 04-17-2013, 08:52 AM

As per sag47, its a question of getting the target env setup, not which dir it ends up in.

manalisharmabe · 04-26-2013, 09:55 AM

Solved. there is no such option like su -i on solaris 10 but yes u can use sudo -i

sag47 · 04-26-2013, 10:15 AM

man pages solve all. Some commands have different options depending on the platform even if the command has the same binary name. Look to your man pages to read and understand their synopsis.