"syntax error near unexpected token `elif'" error in bash

Question

I wrote a script and parts of the script are as follows:

#!/bin/bash

if [ "$1" == "this_script" ] then
      this_script --parameters
elif [ "$1" == "other_script" ] then
      other_script --parameters
else
      echo "missing argument"
fi

When I run this script, I get the error,

syntax error near unexpected token `elif'
`elif [ "$1" == "SWDB" ] then'

1) Is it an issue with line endings? I wrote the script with Notepad++ on Windows BUT i have enabled the EOL conversions under Edit to UNIX/OSX format.

2) If not line endings, what is the error?

I am running this script in bash shell on a Redhat Linux OS.

shellcheck.net would have caught this for you.

Etan Reisner
– Etan Reisner

2016-05-25 13:13:35 +00:00
Commented May 25, 2016 at 13:13 — Etan Reisner
– Etan Reisner, Commented May 25, 2016 at 13:13

fedorqui · Accepted Answer · 2016-05-25 13:21:43Z

9

You need a semi-colon after if [ ... ] and before then, and the same with elif:

if [ "$1" == "this_script" ]; then
#                           ^
#                           here!
#                              v
elif [ "$1" == "other_script" ]; then

From Bash manual - 3.2.4.2 Conditional Constructs:

The syntax of the if command is:
if test-commands; then
  consequent-commands;
[elif more-test-commands; then
  more-consequents;]
[else alternate-consequents;]
fi
The test-commands list is executed, and if its return status is zero, the consequent-commands list is executed. If test-commands returns a non-zero status, each elif list is executed in turn, and if its exit status is zero, the corresponding more-consequents is executed and the command completes. If ‘else alternate-consequents’ is present, and the final command in the final if or elif clause has a non-zero exit status, then alternate-consequents is executed. The return status is the exit status of the last command executed, or zero if no condition tested true.

edited May 25, 2016 at 13:21

answered May 25, 2016 at 13:06

fedorqui

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1 Comment

123 Over a year ago

or put it on the next line.

user6362350 · Accepted Answer · 2016-05-25 13:14:38Z

2

The 'then' statements should be on new lines:

#!/bin/bash

if [ "$1" == "this_script" ]
then
    this_script --parameters
elif [ "$1" == "other_script" ]
then
    other_script --parameters
else
    echo "missing argument"
fi

Works for me in that format.

answered May 25, 2016 at 13:14

user6362350

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