Bash - Check if the string starts with a predefined string (substring)

Question

I have a variable $projectName how can i check if it starts with this string 'testProject'

so glad nobody marked this question "repeated question" since only here could find the answer! — KansaiRobot
– KansaiRobot, Commented Mar 10, 2022 at 4:57

Tom Fenech · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-03 13:48:49Z

18

You can use this check in BASH:

[[ "$projectName" == "testProject"* ]]

Tom Fenech

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answered Sep 3, 2014 at 13:47

anubhava

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1 Comment

Finally something that worked!

fedorqui · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-03 13:58:47Z

11

You can for example use:

[[ "$projectName" =~ ^testProject ]] && echo "yes"
                     ^
                     beginning of line

$ var="hello"
$ [[ "$var" =~ ^he ]] && echo "yes" || echo "no"
yes
$ var="ahello"
$ [[ "$var" =~ ^he ]] && echo "yes" || echo "no"
no

answered Sep 3, 2014 at 13:48

fedorqui

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The 2nd example $ var="ahello" $ [[ "$var" =~ ^he ]] && echo "yes" Should return 'no' because it's not starting with 'he'

@user3502786 well it wasn't returning anything because || was not defined. I just did for better understanding.