How to solve Linux If-Else statement syntax error?

Question

I am trying to check whether a directory already exists or not inside a case-control statement. But it is giving an error in 'then' statement.

case $choice in
1)echo "Enter directory name: "
  read dname
  mkdir $dname
  if[-d "$dname"]
  then
     echo "$dname directory already exists."
  else
     echo "$dname directory successfully created."
  fi
  read
  ;;

error message:

uan.sh: line 13: syntax error near unexpected token `then'
uan.sh: line 13: `  then'

ShellCheck automatically points out common problems like these — that other guy
– that other guy, Commented Mar 21, 2020 at 18:08

chepner · Accepted Answer · 2020-03-21 18:07:55Z

2

The parser is seeing then outside of an if statement, because you don't have the keyword if in a command position. You have the word if[-d which the parser accepts as an ordinary command name; the parser doesn't know or care whether the command actually exists or not.

Whitespace is important:

if [ -d "$dname" ]

The brackets are supposed to remind you of syntax, but have probably caused more trouble than they have ever saved. [ is the command, and it requires ] as its final argument. Using the name test is much simpler and doesn't lull you into thinking the brackets are somehow special to the parser:

if test -d "$dname"

answered Mar 21, 2020 at 18:07

chepner

538k77 gold badges594 silver badges746 bronze badges

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

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How to solve Linux If-Else statement syntax error?

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related