The IF statement parameter dimensional x in BASH script

Asked Feb 16 '21 at 07:29

Active Feb 16 '21 at 07:49

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I have found this in an old script but can't tell what is the use of the "x" infront of the ${VARIABLE} and infront of the value "onx" being compared

VARIABLE="${VARIABLE:-"on"}"
if [ "${VARIABLE}x" != "onx" ]

Are there any effects if the x is removed?

asked Feb 16 '21 at 07:29

Technas

1

It's not needed with proper quoting (which you have) and a vaguely modern shell (which you probably also have), so go ahead and remove it. See this stackoverflow question. – Gordon Davisson Feb 16 '21 at 07:51
In any modern shell, or at least in bash, there will be no difference to the outcome of the test if x is removed. See the dupe questions. – Kusalananda Feb 16 '21 at 07:51
It's also not needed because of the preceding line that sets VARIABLE to a value if it's either unset or empty. Since now VARIABLE cannot be empty the x guard isn't required – Chris Davies Feb 16 '21 at 08:40

The IF statement parameter dimensional x in BASH script

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