Setting variable to floating integer value

Question

I am new to bash scripting. I am currently performing a simple arithmetic problem that involves a floating integer. I know that bash by itself does not do arithmetic with floating integers. So I am using the bc calculator tool. The only issue is the syntax. I am able to get results but not in the desired way. How can I assign $N_RESULTS the value of the math operation?

//I get arithmetic error with this syntax
NUM1=128.17333
let "N_RESULTS = ($NUM1 - 1) / 10 + 1" | bc -l
echo $N_RESULTS

_

//I get correct results if do something like this
NUM1=128.17333
echo "($NUM1 - 1) / 10 + 1" | bc -l

Integer is a set of natural numerrs (0,1,2,3,...) and negative of them (-1,-2,-3,...). Floating number is expressed with an integer value 0('mantissa') and 'exponent' which show place of decimal point in mantissa. The word "floating integer" is contradictional. — Fumu 7
– Fumu 7, Commented Oct 5, 2014 at 3:19

EJK · Accepted Answer · 2014-10-05 03:16:06Z

3

Try this:

NUM1=128.17333
N_RESULTS=$(echo "($NUM1 - 1) / 10 + 1" | bc -l)
echo $N_RESULTS

This is a slight variation on your 2nd syntax. 2nd line uses the $(command) syntax to assign the output of a command to a variable.

answered Oct 5, 2014 at 3:16

EJK

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Code_Ed_Student Over a year ago

Thank you, will do so once it permits me.

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