Check if file exists and continue else exit in Bash

Question

I have a script that is one script in a chain of others that sends an email.

At the start of the script I want to check if a file exists and continue only if it exists, otherwise just quit.

Here is the start of my script:

if [ ! -f /scripts/alert ];
then
    echo "File not found!" && exit 0
else
        continue
fi

However I keep getting a message saying:

line 10: continue: only meaningful in a `for', `while', or `until' loop

Any pointers?

Possible duplicate of How do I tell if a regular file does not exist in Bash? — jww
– jww, Commented Mar 31, 2018 at 22:05

Kerrek SB · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-05 01:25:47Z

45

Change it to this:

{
if [ ! -f /scripts/alert ]; then
    echo "File not found!"
    exit 0
fi
}

A conditional isn't a loop, and there's no place you need to jump to. Execution simply continues after the conditional anyway.

(I also removed the needless &&. Not that it should happen, but just in case the echo fails there's no reason not to exit.)

answered Feb 5, 2012 at 1:25

Kerrek SB

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3 Comments

user1190083 Over a year ago

Thanks makes more sense after your explanation :)

Mike Samuel Over a year ago

+1 for not continuing and for continuing to fail on failure to fail.

David Barda Over a year ago

I would add >&2 and exit with a non zero value

Christopher Bottoms · Accepted Answer · 2015-05-28 20:32:32Z

2

Your problem is with the continue line which is normally used to skip to the next iteration of a for or while loop.

Therefore just removing the else part of your script should allow it to work.

edited May 28, 2015 at 20:32

Christopher Bottoms

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answered Feb 5, 2012 at 1:26

Pluckerpluck

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Comments

Kevin · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-05 01:26:00Z

1

Yes. Drop the else continue. It's entirely unneeded.

answered Feb 5, 2012 at 1:26

Kevin

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