hi there,

i am given a bash exercise which asks me to find files in a directory. there are two files 'file1' and 'file2'. i need to write a script which displays 0 if in a directory those two particular files dont exist, displays 1 if file1 exists and displays 2 if those two particular file file1 and file2 exist in that directory.

I tried to write some code but i am getting error!!!

Please help!!!

LQ has rules against asking homework questions - all your posts so far have been this homework.
Show us what you have tried, and the failure - then we can help point you in the right direction.

hello... i've writtent the following code...i don't know how to use AND operator and how to use if fi in bash...below is my work:

#dnt knw how to use AND operator in bash
if [ -e file1.pl -a -e file2.pl ] ;
then printf "2: two files exist\n"
printf "=======================================\n"
# dont knw how to use else if in bash...
elsif [ -e file1.pl] ;
printf "1: 1 file exists\n"
printf "=======================================\n"
# dnt knw how to show that the directory is empty
elsif [.......]
printf "0: no file exists\n"
printf "=======================================\n"

hello... i've writtent the following code...i don't know how to use AND operator and how to use if fi in bash...below is my work:

#dnt knw how to use AND operator in bash
if [ -e file1.pl -a -e file2.pl ] ;
then printf "2: two files exist\n"
printf "=======================================\n"
# dont knw how to use else if in bash...
elsif [ -e file1.pl] ;
printf "1: 1 file exists\n"
printf "=======================================\n"
# dnt knw how to show that the directory is empty
elsif [.......]
printf "0: no file exists\n"
printf "=======================================\n"

The "-a" construct you're using is from the "test" command, of which the "[" command probably is an alias.
When you use [ in bash however, you use the BUILTIN [ command, the syntax of which is in the bash man page. In there, you'll see what bash thinks of "-a"
I suggest you read the bash man page (man bash), where you'll learn how to express the AND and OR concepts, how to properly use the if construct, and much much more.

Yves.

The bash builtin 'help' command is good too:
help test
help [

What reference text are you using for bash? I recommend Bash Guide for Beginners--free at tldp .org