[SOLVED] bash if statement, cannot get the else

MadeInGermany · 07-13-2018, 01:11 AM

Yes the shell does not allow an empty command list.
You can take the : command that does nothing (noop)

Code:

if [[ "$line" == "#"* ]]
then
:   echo "found"
else
   echo "not found"
fi

Or

Code:

: #   echo "found"

Or

Code:

   :
#   echo "found"

ondoho · 07-13-2018, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkelly

this does not work

Code:

if [[ "$line" == "#"* ]];
then
#   echo "found"
else
   echo "not found"
fi

If seems the IF cannot take a null set of commands. That's not very nice.

i think that would be perfectly normal, although i agree with scasey: bash should be able to just skip over that.

even if not, you can always use

Code:

true

or negate the if test:

Code:

if ! [[ "$line" == "#"* ]];
then
   echo "not found"
fi

bkelly · 07-13-2018, 06:16 PM

Well, this conversation has helped me learn a bit and has resolved my problem.
Thank you for your time and patience.

pan64 · 07-15-2018, 02:06 AM

Additionally, if you want to check only if the line begins with #:

Code:

[[ ${line:0:1} == "#" ]]

can be used. (no need to play with *)