Resolving Syntax Error Near Unexpected Token ')' in Bash Scripts

Learn the causes of the `syntax error near unexpected token ')'` in your Bash scripts and explore effective solutions to fix it, including the importance of avoiding built-in function names. --- This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/76794998/ asked by the user 'Sadegh_Ghaffarian' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/14794936/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/76795010/ provided by the user 'Sadegh_Ghaffarian' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/14794936/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions. Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: bash script Syntax Error near unexpected token `)' Also, Content (except music) licensed under CC BY-SA https://meta.stackexchange.com/help/licensing The original Question post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ ) license, and the original Answer post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ ) license. If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com. --- Resolving Syntax Error Near Unexpected Token ')' in Bash Scripts When writing scripts in Bash, encountering syntax errors can be a frustrating experience, especially when they seem to come out of nowhere. One common error that many developers face is the message: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Today, we’ll delve into the details of why this error occurs and how to effectively troubleshoot and resolve it. Understanding the Error The error message indicates that the Bash interpreter encountered something it didn't expect, specifically a closing parenthesis ) at line 2 of a script. In Bash, syntax matters greatly, and certain keywords and built-in functions are protected, meaning you cannot redefine them without causing conflicts. Exact Error Context In the given code, the function time is being declared like so: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] However, time is a built-in function in Bash used to measure the duration of a command’s execution. Trying to redefine time leads to confusion for the interpreter, hence the unexpected token error. Solution to the Problem Renaming the Function The most straightforward solution is to rename the function to something other than time. For example, instead of redefining time, you can call the function time_Test. Here's how you can do it: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Revised Code Example Here’s how your entire script should look after applying the fix: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Conclusion Bash scripts can be sensitive to syntax and naming conventions. When you encounter a syntax error near unexpected token ')', it's essential to check for conflicts with built-in functions and ensure you're not trying to redefine them. Always choose unique names for your functions to avoid these common issues. By following the above guidance, you should be able to resolve this error effectively and continue scripting smoothly.