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mzilikazi

Member

Registered: 2004-07-17

Posts: 5

[Solved] Print current time to focused window - kb shortcut - what's wrong?

Desired end result: Print the current time into the focused window by way of a keyboard shortcut.
Chosen tool for task: xdotool
Problem: xdotool output missing after pressing keyboard shortcut.

This works:

xdotool type $(date +"%H:%M")

This works:

#!/bin/sh
xdotool type $(date +"%H:%M")
touch /tmp/IT_WORKS

$ /usr/bin/timestamp
$ 11:28
$ file /tmp/IT_WORKS 
/tmp/IT_WORKS: empty

This also works:

ALT+F2

/usr/bin/timestamp

12:04 <- The current time is printed directly to the focused window and /tmp/IT_WORKS is created.

However, when calling /usr/bin/timestamp from a keyboard shortcut xdotool output is missing while /tmp/IT_WORKS is again created.

Suggestions?

ToZ

Administrator

From: Canada

Registered: 2011-06-02

Posts: 10,996

Re: [Solved] Print current time to focused window - kb shortcut - what's wrong?

I think it has something to do with timing (activewindow doesn't have a chance to be set?). Try:

sleep .1s && xdotool type $(date +"%H:%M")

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mzilikazi

Member

Registered: 2004-07-17

Posts: 5

Re: [Solved] Print current time to focused window - kb shortcut - what's wrong?

Sure enough a 1 second sleep did it.  Thanks!