Initialise a variable with a specific date in a specific format

Question

I want to initialise a variable with yesterday's date in a specific format . ex---if today is 15 Feb, then variable should be-- var=Feb 14

date -d"-1day" +"%b %d" is not working. I don't know whether the syntax is incorrect or why else it is not working.

What is the correct way to use it?

Ward Muylaert · Answer 1 · 2011-02-22 16:47:14Z

up vote 3 down vote

Put $( ) around the command when assigning, eg:

#!/bin/bash

hi=$(date -d'-1day' +'%b %d')

echo "$hi"

Works.

Updated as per geirha's comment.

edited Feb 22 '11 at 16:47

answered Feb 15 '11 at 10:50

Ward Muylaert
1,7971721

	it does not work. it says date: --d : illegeal option. i am using putty – user10631 Feb 15 '11 at 11:00
	What is the exact way you are using it then? (Update your original post) – Ward Muylaert Feb 15 '11 at 11:04
	var=$(date -d"-1day" +"%b %d"); echo $var – user10631 Feb 15 '11 at 11:06
	That usage works fine for me. – Ward Muylaert Feb 15 '11 at 11:08
	but it shows the message-> date: --d : illegeal option...any other way of doing it? – user10631 Feb 15 '11 at 11:09

1 Answer