shell script with dot output | progress bar

shell-command-with-dot.sh

# progressdots.sh - Display progress while making backup
# Based on idea presnted by nixCraft forum user rockdalinux
# Show progress dots
# Credit: https://bash.cyberciti.biz/guide/Putting_functions_in_background

progress(){
  echo -n "$0: Please wait..."
  while true
  do
    echo -n "."
    sleep 5
  done
}

dobackup(){
    # put backup commands here
    tar -zcvf /dev/st0 /home >/dev/null 2>&1
}

# Start it in the background
progress &

# Save progress() PID
# You need to use the PID to kill the function
MYSELF=$!

# Start backup
# Transfer control to dobackup()
dobackup

# Kill progress
kill $MYSELF >/dev/null 2>&1

echo -n "...done."
echo