Using Shell Scripts

Another method of monitoring software usage is to create a shell script that initiates a program. This method enables you to create a log entry each time a user executes the shell script. A shell script can be modified using one of two methods: you can create a shell script wrapper, or you can modify the script of an existing shell script program. Either method creates a begin and end software usage monitoring log entry.

• Using the shell script wrapper method, you would enter a software usage monitoring command line before and after the program executable command line. For example, you may have a script called "maker" that starts the FrameMaker^TM program. Within this "maker" script, you could add software usage monitoring commands that would "wrap" around the executable portion of the script. By doing this, the software usage monitoring commands are executed when the script is initiated and also when the script ends.

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  Note -

  Using the shell script wrapper method may not be the best option if your command runs in the background. An end record is generated immediately after the command is executed and the time used is not accurate.

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• Using the method of modifying the shell script executable command line, a single command line in the script starts the specified program, and also creates a begin and end software usage monitoring log entry.

  The following procedures describe how to implement each software usage monitoring shell script method.