syntax error for if statement in shell script

Question

I have been getting this error for about an hour now. It says:

if: Expression Syntax

when I try to run my shell script. I could not find the problem in the code so I shortened everything down to this simple conditional:

if [ $# -eq 0 ]
then
echo "ERROR - no arguments given"
exit 1
fi

I have looked all over the internet and this syntax appears to be flawless.. So why do I still get the if expression syntax error???

im not sure. i am using a terminal that my school manages. is there a command to find it? — Matt Hintzke
– Matt Hintzke, Commented Dec 2, 2012 at 21:35

pbhd · Accepted Answer · 2012-12-02 20:37:00Z

2

I think you are using csh/tcsh, so you have to write

if ( $# == 0 ) then
  echo "ERROR - no arguments given"
  exit 1
endif

(With bash your script runs ok here)

answered Dec 2, 2012 at 20:37

pbhd

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3 Comments

Matt Hintzke Over a year ago

hmmm idk how you knew that but thanks a lot! Actually the first part is right but instead of endif, i still needed fi. No idea why. My professor taught us the wrong syntax to everything

tripleee Over a year ago

He probably taught you sh and your error is that you use a different shell. They are similar, but still, it's sort of like complaining that the Prolog compiler won't accept C.

pbhd Over a year ago

@Matt guessed it because it works perfect with bash and the error-msg looks like csh. But that fi your shell wants makes me curious: which system and shell are you using exactly?

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