script for running convert-ly on multiple files

[Jonathan Kulp]

Dear Lilyponders,

I thought I'd share a script I wrote for running the convert-ly process 
on batches of files.  I realize a script like this is trivial for 
experienced users, but I'd been doing conversions one file at a time 
myself until I learned how to do this kind of script, and I figured 
there were probably others like me who could benefit.  It's an enormous 
relief being able to convert dozens of files in one command.  I've tried 
it out on a few orchestral pieces with lots of \include files from 
Mutopia and it works very well.  It won't fix problems with the original 
files but it does update the syntax.  Two of the three orchestral pieces 
I converted compiled perfectly after the conversion.  Give it a try if 
you like, but heed the warning in the comments if you're running it on 
your own files.  (Before I inserted the "sleep 1" command, it would 
occasionally save empty files, but I haven't had a problem since putting 
that in).  Save the script in your ~/bin directory, make it executable, 
and run it.

Best,

Jonathan

--------------------------------------------------

#!/bin/bash

#*************************************************#
# This script updates the syntax of all lilypond  #
# files in current directory.                     #
#                                                 #
# WARNING: This will also overwrite source files! #
# Be sure to make a backup copy of all of the     #
# source files before running this script, just   #
# in case of problems.  Or, comment out the line  #
# that performs the "mv $LILYFILE-new" command.   #
#*************************************************#

for LILYFILE in *.ly
do
  echo "updating syntax on $LILYFILE..."
  convert-ly $LILYFILE > $LILYFILE-new
  sleep 1
  mv $LILYFILE-new $LILYFILE
done


--
Jonathan Kulp
http://www.jonathankulp.com