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new to shell scripting: whats wrong with my if loop

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# 8  
Old 07-20-2006
ok, in simple terms, $file is the filename, not the file contents.
# 9  
Old 07-20-2006
^ exactly so wouldnt -z check the file content and then erase the file if its empty? or is it -s?
# 10  
Old 07-20-2006
Now you're getting very close.

-s is : if the file exist and size is > 0.

So you need to test that you have a file ( and not a directory )
Then you need to check the size = 0.

if [[ ! -s $file ]] ; then

will be true if either the file doesn't exist or it's empty, so if you couple that with a test to see if you have a file you will be ready to go.
# 11  
Old 07-20-2006
Quote:
Originally Posted by reborg
Now you're getting very close.

-s is : if the file exist and size is > 0.

So you need to test that you have a file ( and not a directory )
Then you need to check the size = 0.

if [[ ! -s $file ]] ; then

will be true if either the file doesn't exist or it's empty, so if you couple that with a test to see if you have a file you will be ready to go.
thanks man, its strange though why isnt there an option that checks to see if the file is empty instead of having to negate the statement.
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