why not use the -z test?
Example:
Code:
#!/bin/sh
#
TEST_STRING="This has been a test"
echo "Test 1 String value is : " $TEST_STRING
if [ -z "$TEST_STRING" ]
then
echo "Test String is empty."
else
echo $TEST_STRING
fi
TEST_STRING=""
echo "Test 2 : Test String is empty "
if [ -z "$TEST_STRING" ]
then
echo "Test String is empty."
else
echo $TEST_STRING
fi
exit 0
Result:
~/Documents/Scripting $ ./test_string.sh
Test 1 String value is : This has been a test
This has been a test
Test 2 : Test String is empty
Test String is empty.
~/Documents/Scripting $
i just acquired a copy of
Shell Scripting (Jason Cannon) (Amazon) which to me is very helpful. Lots of examples!