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Word Count (wc -w) returns a non-integer value

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# 1  
Old 03-01-2012
Word Count (wc -w) returns a non-integer value
Hi,

Why is it I cannot compare the return value of 'wc -w' to an integer?
Please see code below:

Code:
a="x y z"
b=`echo ${a} | wc -w`

if [ ${b} -lt 4 ] ; then
    echo "less than 4"
fi

when I try to run error always happen (: integer expression expected)
- error is on the if statement

Please help?
Thanks!
# 2  
Old 03-01-2012
Works for me. Try running the above script using set -x option or run it from command line using bash -x script.sh and see what value is stored in 'b'.

Also, it would help if you tell us what OS and shell you're working on.
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