LinuxQuestions.org - [SOLVED] linux shell script comparing strings containing spaces

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linux shell script comparing strings containing spaces

Hi,
am trying to write a shell script.
I have two strings say str1 and str2
I need to check if str1 and str2 are equal.
I used the following piece of code

if [ $str1 == $str2 ]
echo "strings are equal"
else
echo "strings are different"
fi

if i run this script and give str1 as hello ,it works fine.but if i give something like hello world it shows an error saying

: too many arguments

I tried giving str 1 as "a b" and got the same error.

So I guess its the space in between characters that gives the error.
Can any1 help me out?

Put quotes around the variables in your test:

Code:

if [ "$str1" == "$str2" ]

then

echo "strings are equal"

else

echo "strings are different"

fi

NB: I added the "then" above as it wasn't in your original post but is necessary.

Thanks Boss!!!
It worked..