for loop not working - syntax error at line 6: `end of file' unexpected - Shell Programming and Scripting

debojyoty · #1 (**permalink**) 03-10-2006

I have a file called test.dat which contains

a b

I have written a shell script called test.sh

for i in `cat test.dat`
do
echo $i
done

When i run this script using

sh test.sh

I get this message -

test.sh: syntax error at line 6: `end of file' unexpected

What is the problem.

Thanks,
Debojyoty

tmarikle · #2 (**permalink**) 03-10-2006

Your script works fine for me. Open the script in vi and enter the command :set list to see if you have any characters mucking up your script.

tmarikle · #3 (**permalink**) 03-10-2006

It also occurred to me that one of you back ticks could be a single quote as well, which would certainly cause your error.

Code:

for i in `cat test.dat' <=== single quote and not back tick
do
echo $i
done

$ sh test.sh
test.sh: syntax error at line 5: `end of file' unexpected

Code:

for i in `cat test.dat` <=== back tick
do
echo $i
done

$ sh test.sh
a
b

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