[Question] Execute shell command without inserting its stdout/stderr?

[bpj]

Is there a way to run a shell command without inserting its output into the pp output? I need to ensure that a certain PDF is updated before inserting it as an image. Nothing make can't handle but it would be nice if it could be done inside the document source.

[CDSoft]

There are several ways to do this.

• you can redirect stdout to /dev/null: \sh(command > /dev/null). pp only captures stdout.
• you can use the macro \quiet which evaluates its argument but inserts nothing in the document: \quiet(\sh(command))

[bpj]

you can use the macro \quiet which evaluates its argument but inserts nothing in the document: \quiet(\sh(command))

Yes of course. Stupid of me to miss that!