Bash: syntax error near unexpected token `else'

Question

I'm getting the following error:

./adduser.sh: line 21: syntax error near unexpected token `else'
./adduser.sh: line 21: `        else'

I have been stuck here for an hour and I just can not figure it out.

#!/bin/bash
#==========================================================================================================================================
# Script Name:  adduser.sh
# By:           Tim mayo
# Date:         3/2013
# Purpose:      Add a user to the Linux system
# Command line: adduser.sh
#
#==========================================================================================================================================
        read -p "Enter username : " username
        read -s -p "Enter password : " password
        egrep "^$username" /etc/passwd >/dev/null
        if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
                echo "$username exists!"
                exit 1
        else
                pass=$(perl -e 'print crypt($ARGV[0], "password")' $password)
                useradd -m -p $pass $username
                [ $? -eq 0 ] && echo "User has been added to system!" || echo "Failed to add a user!"
        fi
                else
                        echo "Root user can only add a user to the Linux system"
                        exit 2
fi

can you put the whole script please, the identation suggests there are missing parts. — Edouard Thiel
– Edouard Thiel, Commented Mar 16, 2013 at 19:10

chepner · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-16 18:53:52Z

2

The else keyword isn't associated with any if statement; you ended the if statement with the fi keyword on line 20. Perhaps you are missing an if just before the two read statements?

answered Mar 16, 2013 at 18:53

chepner

538k77 gold badges594 silver badges746 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

user2177712 Over a year ago

So simple thanks for pointing that out. I forgot to add if [ $(id -u) -eq 0 ]; then ...before the read statements

jkshah Over a year ago

@user2177712 Welcome to SO! If any answer worked for you, consider accepting it by clicking on hollow green tick mark on the left side of answer. (below up-down votes)

Bilzard · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-16 19:33:54Z

0

Another 'run as root only' example:

   #!/bin/bash


if [ $UID -eq "0" ]
then
        read -p "Enter username : " username
        read -s -p "Enter password : " password
        egrep "^$username" /etc/passwd >/dev/null
        if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
                echo "$username exists!"
                exit 1
        else
                pass=$(perl -e 'print crypt($ARGV[0], "password")' $password)
                useradd -m -p $pass $username
                [ $? -eq 0 ] && echo "User has been added to system!" || echo "Failed to add a user!"
        fi
                 else
                        echo "Root user can only add a user to the Linux system"
                        exit 2
fi

answered Mar 16, 2013 at 19:33

Bilzard

3711 gold badge5 silver badges19 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Bash: syntax error near unexpected token `else'

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related