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Simple conditional yields too many responses

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# 1  
Old 02-11-2019
Simple conditional yields too many responses
In this script:
Code:
#!/bin/bash
# bird
read -p "Enter name of a bird   "
REPLY=$REPLY
birdname="duck sparrow hawk"
for i in $birdname
do
        if [[ "$REPLY" = "$i" ]]
        then
                echo "Yes, that is a bird."
        else
                echo "That is not a bird."
        fi
done

I get this:
Code:
~/bin$ bird
Enter name of a bird   duck
Yes, that is a bird.
That is not a bird.
That is not a bird.

Ubuntu 18.04.2; Xfce 4.12.3; kernel 4.15.0-45-generic; bash 4.4.19(1); Dell Inspiron-518
# 2  
Old 02-11-2019
If you find a match to your IF condition, you should exit otherwise you continue in the loop which explains why you have those lines, I let you figure out what to do the the other case, because you could have the case of nothing found and again you would have so many lines...
Hint: Use a variable you set and use it at the end once out of the loop...
Last edited by vbe; 02-11-2019 at 11:23 AM..
This User Gave Thanks to vbe For This Post:
Xubuntu56
# 3  
Old 02-11-2019
Your 'for' is going to create three data passes - one for each element in birdname.
Thus, correct in giving three results.
What were you hoping for, or expecting?
This User Gave Thanks to joeyg For This Post:
Xubuntu56
# 4  
Old 02-11-2019
Can I presume that if you enter hawk then the output you get is:-
Code:
~/bin$ bird
Enter name of a bird   hawk
That is not a bird.
That is not a bird.
Yes, that is a bird.

You code is doing what you are asking it to, but the issue (I presume) is a logical one.

You are checking if your input matches each of the items in turn, but you display the message every time. It would be better to define a flag/variable showing a failure before your loop then set the flag to a success within the loop if you meet the criteria. Then after the loop completes, you can display a message based on the flag.

Does that make sense? Sorry if it rather wordy.
Post your thoughts/next attempts and we can help with adjustments.


Kind regards,
Robin
This User Gave Thanks to rbatte1 For This Post:
Xubuntu56
# 5  
Old 02-11-2019
@joeyg--I wanted a single response, either "Yes, that is a bird." or "That is not a bird."
@vbe--I tried something else, but unfortunately it appears I need a stronger hint! Now, it works correctly for "duck", but does nothing for the other two birds, nor does it do anything for an incorrect response.
Code:
#!/bin/bash
# bird
read -rp "Enter name of a bird   "
REPLY=$REPLY
birdname="duck sparrow hawk"

for i in $birdname
do
     if [[ "$REPLY" = "$i" ]]; then
             echo "Yes, that is a bird."
     fi
     exit
     if [[ ! "$REPLY" = "$i" ]]; then
         echo "That is not a bird."
      fi
done

results:

Code:
:~/bin$ bird
Enter name of a bird   duck
 Yes, that is a bird.


:~/bin$ bird
 Enter name of a bird   sparrow
:~/bin$ 


:~/bin$ bird
  Enter name of a bird   hawk
:~/bin$ 


:~/bin$ bird
 Enter name of a bird    spaniel
:~/bin$

# 6  
Old 02-11-2019
Then you want something closer to:

Code:
for i in $birdname
do
        if [[ "$REPLY" = "$i" ]]
        then
                Found = Found + 1
        else
                NotFound = NotFound +1
        fi
done

if $Found > 0
   then 
      echo "Yes, that is a bird."
   else
      echo "No, not a bird."
fi

This User Gave Thanks to joeyg For This Post:
Xubuntu56
# 7  
Old 02-11-2019
Code:
     if [[ "$REPLY" = "$i" ]]; then
             echo "Yes, that is a bird."
             exit
     fi

This User Gave Thanks to vgersh99 For This Post:
Xubuntu56
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