Problem Using Terminal App on Mac

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Level 1

12 points

Problem Using Terminal App on Mac

I’m trying to use an older Mac Mini (2009), using OS X 10.11, to learn Python programming. In addition to installing Python (done without problems) it is necessary to install numerous add on modules. This requires using the Terminal.

The first step is to install Homebrew. Their website has a script to paste into Terminal that is supposed to do the installation. It is:

/usr/bin/ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)"

However when I use it I get an “Illegal variable name” error message.

Another script from Github that is designed to add Homebrew plus some other things is also failing. It is:

bash <(curl -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/monfresh/laptop/master/laptop)

It gives a “Missing name for redirect” error message.

I have a feeling something is amiss with my Mini or with the Terminal program as no one else seems to be having any issues. I’m not sure where to start to troubleshoot this problem. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Dan

Mac mini, iOS 10, iOS 10.11.6

Posted on Mar 9, 2018 10:34 AM

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Answer 1

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,374 points

Mar 9, 2018 2:14 PM in response to DanUgrin

Bash should be the default shell for Terminal. In Terminal Preferences, the Shell tab should not have the Run command checked. It should be empty.

In System Preferences : Users & Groups, unlock the panel, click on your user name, and right-click to get Advanced Options… . You should see the Login Shell field set to /bin/bash, which is the default there.

I happen to have both Xcode and the Command Line Tools installed, and have no problems with Homebrew. I am not however, going to uninstall, and reinstall it to debug whether there is an issue with the remote install.rb script.

OS X installs Python 2.7.n by default. Was there a specific reason that you wanted to add another version of Python?

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Answer 2

Mar 9, 2018 11:53 AM in response to DanUgrin

Change the title of your question to say you're having trouble installing Homebrew. That's your issue. You don't have a problem with the Terminal app. With an improved question title, you'll have a better chance of getting a good answer.

The Homebrew installation instructions say you need to install Xcode or the command-line tools. Did you do that?

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Answer 3

DanUgrin Author

Level 1

12 points

Mar 9, 2018 12:52 PM in response to Mark Szymczyk

Yes. Xcode was installed. How can I change title or do I need to repost?

Problem may be this.... Note from Homebrew innstallation instructions:

"The one-liner installation method found on brew.sh requires a Bourne-compatible shell (e.g. bash or zsh). Notably, fish, tcsh and csh will not work." I think I am missing bash? How to verify or get it?

Dan

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Answer 4

DanUgrin Author

Level 1

12 points

Mar 9, 2018 2:00 PM in response to VikingOSX

Thank you VikingOSX. Changing shell to bash per your instructions did the trick. The Homebrew script now works.

BTW I didn't need Homebrew to load the latest version of Python (3.6). That was no problem. I needed it for other stuff like Pygames etc.

Thanks again,

Dan

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Answer 5

Mar 9, 2018 2:08 PM in response to DanUgrin

There's a button by the Reply button at the end of your question that should give you actions, such as editing and deleting the question. If you don't see any buttons like that, don't worry about it. I figured a clearer question title would get you better answers.

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Answer 6

DanUgrin Author

Level 1

12 points

Mar 9, 2018 1:02 PM in response to Mark Szymczyk

Looked up how to install bash and it required Homebrew. Back to square one.

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Problem Using Terminal App on Mac

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