Objective-C - How to convert file path to shell conform file path

Question

I want to execute a shell command (I want to touch a file). I use system("shell command") to execute the command.

For example I want to touch the file at path /Users/username/New Folder/. Now I need to convert the NSString in a format that is conform to shell commands like /Users/username/New\ Folder.

Is there any method that does a conversion like this?

NOTE: It is NOT just replacing a whitespace with \. If you have a special character in the path like /Users/username/Folder(foo)/ the "shell path" looks like this /Users/username/Folder\(foo\)/

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 13 '14 at 23:50

1

There is no need to convert the path, you can surround it in single quotes. Just use:

touch 'path'

answered Mar 13 '14 at 23:50

CRD

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score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 13 '14 at 23:57

1

You can enclose the parameters that contain spaces with " " marks.

touch "/Users/username/New Folder/"

At least this works at the shell prompt

answered Mar 13 '14 at 23:57

Merlevede

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Single quotes are better, double quotes don't prevent shell expansions. – CRD Mar 14 '14 at 00:14

score 0 · Answer 3 · edited May 23 '17 at 10:25

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Don't use system. It's insecure and unpredictable. Surrounding the string with quotes is not sufficient.

Use the execve style functions instead. They are simple and secure.

edited May 23 '17 at 10:25

Community

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answered Mar 14 '14 at 01:10

that other guy

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Objective-C - How to convert file path to shell conform file path

3 Answers3