bash If-else on Mac

Question

Why such a simple script does not work?

  1 for i in {1..6}
  2 do
  3     if[ "$i" -lt "3" ]
  4     then
  5         echo "a"
  6     else
  7         echo "b"
  8     fi
  9 done

or

  1 for i in {1..6}
  2 do
  3     if[ "$i" < 3 ]
  4     then
  5         echo "a"
  6     else
  7         echo "b"
  8     fi
  9 done

Err:

./test.sh: line 4: syntax error near unexpected token `then'
./test.sh: line 4: `    then'

what is the error you get? `if[ "$i" < 3 ]` is not valid bash — Bill, May 26 '13 at 04:05

score 13 · Accepted Answer · answered May 26 '13 at 04:07

13

You need a space between if and [.

answered May 26 '13 at 04:07

Marcelo Cantos

In other words, a space between the command and its first argument. As always. – Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams May 26 '13 at 04:08
thanks! How about using "<" instead of "-lt"? What's the correct way? – JackWM May 26 '13 at 04:11
@JackWM: Use `-lt`. `<` does a lexicographical string comparison and needs to be escaped somehow (e.g., `\<` or `'<'`). – Marcelo Cantos May 26 '13 at 04:11

1 Answers1