How to add both date and space to a filename

Question

If I execute touch $(date '+%F %T'), I expect one file whose filename comprises the date and time to be created; but instead two files are created: one whose name is the date, and the other whose name is the time:

$ touch $(date '+%F %T')
$ ls -1
12:39:26
2019-03-05

Why is this, and how can I create a file named 2019-03-05 12:39:26 instead, without using an underscore instead of a space?

If you run date '+%F %T' you will see you have two strings. This is like calling touch 12:39:26 2019-03-05. — Freddy, Mar 05 '19 at 12:52

score 3 · Accepted Answer · edited Mar 05 '19 at 12:50

3

Use double quotes:

touch "$(date '+%F %T')"

Why does my shell script choke on whitespace or other special characters?

edited Mar 05 '19 at 12:50

Kusalananda

333,661

answered Mar 05 '19 at 12:49

choroba

47,233

How to add both date and space to a filename

1 Answers1