Automator running a sed command hangs...

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Level 1

5 points

Automator running a sed command hangs...

I'm attempting to pass a lot of text to a Run Shell Script action. Simply put...
sed 's/= /=/'
Easy right? It should replace all '= ' with '=' to stdin.

For some reason my computer will only run this once. To get past this action I need to restart the computer, reopen Automator and attempt to run the whole workflow again.

I've saved the text to a textedit.rtf and run the sed command from Terminal. It returns results immediately. Again... Automator will only run this once before requiring a restart to get past that action.

I think I've successfully narrowed this down to an Automator problem.

Has anyone seen problems with Automator running shell script actions? If so, what's a good workaround?

Power Mac G4 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Oct 30, 2006 5:43 PM

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Answer 1

pantopic

Level 1

2 points

Nov 11, 2006 1:59 AM in response to Trevor Nomi

I've had a similar problem out running shell scripts out of Automator when the automator workflow is saved as an application. The particular script I've been having this problem with runs a bunch of "open /Users/foo/somedocument" commands which work fine if it is run as a workflow in Automator, but hang if the workflow is saved as a application and run by clicking the application icon.

I haven't had time to look into the problem until now, but if I find something I will report back.

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Answer 2

Nov 11, 2006 7:34 AM in response to Trevor Nomi

In Applescript, I have also had problems with certain sed commands freezing the scripting app. Apparently the same command)s) freeze up Script Editor and others too, possibly affecting also Automator.

One workaround may be to open Activity Monitor and quit the stuck sed process from in there. It works for me and don't need to reboot although Script Debugger still needs to be forcequit.

As for what command setup is causing the sticking, I have no idea.

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