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string test in IF statement

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# 1  
Old 03-03-2010
string test in IF statement
How do I test multiple words in a string test like below:

Code:
if [[ $TBS = (SYSTEM|SYSAUX|USERS|TOOLS) ]]
then
   print "You entered $TBS name.\n"
else
   print "You entered an incorrect response.\n"
fi


This test does not work. I have tried different syntax versions. How does this work? And is there a better way to do it?

thanks.
Last edited by vgersh99; 03-03-2010 at 05:34 PM..
# 2  
Old 03-03-2010
in 'man ksh' (for example) search for the 'File Name Generation' chapter - it should explain the specifics.
Code:
if [[ $TBS = ?(SYSTEM|SYSAUX|USERS|TOOLS) ]]; then

Also please use code tags when posting code/data samples - you'll improve the chances of your posts being looked at/answered.
# 3  
Old 03-03-2010
in bash...

Code:
if [ "$TBS" == "SYSTEM" -o "$TBS" == "SYSAUX" -o "$TBS" == "USERS" -o "$TBS" == "TOOLS" ];then

# 4  
Old 03-04-2010
bash accepts this in the case statement
Code:
case $TBS in
   SYSTEM|SYSAUX|USERS|TOOLS)    do_something ;;
esac

# 5  
Old 03-04-2010
In bash the "or" operator can be used in this way also
Code:
var=8
if [[ $var -eq 5 || $var -eq 7 ]]
then
        echo "OK"
else
        echo "Not ok"
fi

# 6  
Old 03-07-2010
Case is very nice in every sh (sh, ksh, dash, bash, zsh, ...) to make string pattern
testing.
Code:
case "$TBS" in
   SYSTEM|SYSAUX|USERS|TOOLS)    print "You entered $TBS name.\n"
                                                    ;;
   *) print "You entered an incorrect response."
       ;;
esac

Why "$TBS" ? If TBS is empty, you get error if not "". Usually it's safety to use always " " with variable. String length 0 / null string.
# 7  
Old 03-07-2010
Quote:
Originally Posted by kshji
Code:
case "$TBS" in
   SYSTEM|SYSAUX|USERS|TOOLS)    print "You entered $TBS name.\n"
                                                    ;;
   *) print "You entered an incorrect response."
       ;;
esac

Why "$TBS" ? If TBS is empty, you get error if not "". Usually it's safety to use always " " with variable. String length 0 / null string.

This is one of the few instances where it is never necessary to quote the variable; case is a shell keyword, not a builtin command, so it doesn't parse the line as if it were a command.

Even if $TBS could be empty, there's no need to quote it.
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