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From: Dave Angel <davea@davea.name>
Subject: Re: Check to see if the script has been previously used?
Date: Tue, 27 May 2014 07:05:21 -0400 (EDT)
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Chris Angelico <rosuav@gmail.com> Wrote in message:
> On Tue, May 27, 2014 at 5:45 PM, KC Sparks <kcrsparks@gmail.com> wrote:
>> I was wondering if there was an extension or way that would allow me to
>> print instructions if it is the first the the user has used the script.
> 
> The trickiest part is defining the 'user'. Generally, this sort of
> thing is done by creating a file; if the file's not there, it's the
> first time. Some versions of sudo will create a file called
> .sudo_as_admin_successful in the user's home directory; others create
> /var/lib/sudo/<username> as a directory, and storing information
> there. Either technique works well for recognizing a first-time user.
> 
> ChrisA
> 

The problem can be simpler if you're assuming a machine with only
 one user, or more complicated if the obvious disk location is
 either read-only to the user, or volatile. 

You also might want to clear all such flags upon an upgrade.  If
 so, it's not just a file needed, but a sortable version
 string.

Preferred approach is usually to respond to one of the
 conventional argv switches.  And let the user decide.
 

-- 
DaveA