bash assign variable with parameters with space in value

Question

I need to pass --external-downloader ffmpeg --external-downloader-args -movflags frag_keyframe+empty_moov through my ytdlExtraOptions variable to one my bash functions (defined in my .bash_functions) as 4 arguments :

$ set -- --external-downloader ffmpeg --external-downloader-args -movflags\ frag_keyframe+empty_moov
$ echo $4
-movflags frag_keyframe+empty_moov
$ ytdlExtraOptions="--external-downloader ffmpeg --external-downloader-args -movflags\\ frag_keyframe+empty_moov"
$ set -- $ytdlExtraOptions
$ echo $4
-movflags\

with a bash array :

$ ytdlExtraOptions=(--external-downloader ffmpeg --external-downloader-args -movflags\ frag_keyframe+empty_moov)
$ echo ${ytdlExtraOptions[3]}
-movflags frag_keyframe+empty_moov
$ set -- ${ytdlExtraOptions[@]}
$ echo $4
-movflags

How can I assign my ytdlExtraOptions variable correctly ?

@KamilCuk I'm going to rewrite my question with a bash array. — SebMa
– SebMa, Commented Apr 5, 2020 at 18:15
It is unclear what you are asking. It'd be cool to clarify please. — Léa Gris
– Léa Gris, Commented Apr 5, 2020 at 18:30
@LéaGris I rewrote my question to clarify things. If it's more understandable, please undo your downvote :) — SebMa
– SebMa, Commented Apr 6, 2020 at 8:24
You already assign it, but please add double quotes around your array variable reference: set -- "${ytdlExtraOptions[@]}" and it will properly set your arguments. — Léa Gris
– Léa Gris, Commented Apr 6, 2020 at 12:33

KamilCuk · Accepted Answer · 2020-04-05 18:16:00Z

1

Use a bash array.

set -- --external-downloader ffmpeg --external-downloader-args "-movflags frag_keyframe+empty_moov"
toto=("$@")
set -- "${toto[@]}"
echo $4

Alternatively you can use evil eval and printf "%q " to properly quote and re-evaulate your args:

set -- --external-downloader ffmpeg --external-downloader-args "-movflags frag_keyframe+empty_moov"
toto=$(printf "%q " "$@")
eval set -- "$toto"

answered Apr 5, 2020 at 18:16

KamilCuk

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