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There is a collection of .doc files, in addition to other types of files, on a remote server (which supports SCP).

I am trying to write a script to retrieve the latest (most recently modified) .doc file from the remote server. The path to my current working directory cannot be absolute since my script may be deployed in another server.

I am able to solve the problem partially in two steps:

  1. Copy all the .doc files from the remote server to my local ~/Downloads folder:

    scp -i key.pem abc@xyz:/tmp/*.doc ~/Downloads/

  2. Select the latest file from ~/Downloads and copy it to the required folder:

    cd ~/Downloads latest_file=$(ls -t *.doc | head -n 1) cp -p "$latest_file" /current working directory

How can I copy the latest .doc file present in the remote server xyz under the folder /tmp to my local machine in a single statement without downloading all of them into an intermediate folder?

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  • Have you tried to use rsync to do this? Commented May 28, 2015 at 19:25
  • (1) I’ve made a rough guess at what you mean, and edited your question based on that guess.  If I damaged the meaning, please fix it.  (2) I don’t understand what you’re saying about your current working directory, either.  (3) When you’re using a deferred wildcard (e.g., a wildcard that you want to be expanded on a remote server), you should always enclose it in quotes; e.g., scp -i key.pem "abc@xyz:/tmp/*.doc" ~/Downloads.  It’s true that it will work without the quotes 99% of the time, but it you just get into the habit of using quotes all the time, you’ll be protected in that 100th case. Commented May 28, 2015 at 22:20
  • (1)Thanks for the edit. I have retained the edited version. Commented May 29, 2015 at 13:14
  • Current working directory is a normal folder within my file system. This is answered by shivams. by the usage of . Commented May 29, 2015 at 13:15
  • And yes, will use the quotes. Did not know about it. thanks. Commented May 29, 2015 at 13:15

2 Answers 2

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I am not really clear what your problem is, but if you're trying to copy to the current directory then just use . to refer to the current directory so that your command is: 

scp -i key.pem abc@xyz:/tmp/*.doc .
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  • The dot (.) solved my problem of having the files copied to my local working directory. Thank you. One pending question now. How will I copy only the latest file from the remote location instead of the whole set of *.doc files Commented May 29, 2015 at 13:26
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Let's see if this will solve your problem. Make a script.

FILE=`ssh abc@xyz ls -ht /tmp/*.doc | head -n 1` rsync -avz -e ssh abc@xyz:"$FILE" .

This will run a command on the remote server "ls -ht /tmp/*.doc | head -n 1" and will show the latest doc. Rsync that specified file from remote server to your current directory. ssh/rsync will also ask you a password for the user "abc", better is to use a passwordless login or a keyfile "key.pem".

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  • Note that the OP indicated that he was using a key.pem file in the question. Commented May 28, 2015 at 22:25

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