Solving the syntax error near unexpected token fi in Bash Scripts

Learn how to troubleshoot and fix the `syntax error near unexpected token "fi"` in your Bash scripts effectively. --- This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/73308548/ asked by the user 'Swapnil Deshmukh' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/17227919/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/73309900/ provided by the user 'FelipeC' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/10474/ ) 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: syntax error near unexpected token `fi' for bash script that checks for file 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. --- Troubleshooting the syntax error near unexpected token "fi" in Bash Scripts Bash scripting allows for automation and simplification of complex tasks. However, errors can often arise when working with conditional statements, particularly if you’re unfamiliar with the syntax. One common issue is the syntax error near unexpected token "fi", which usually indicates a misconfiguration in your if statement. In this guide, we will explore the underlying causes of this error and how to effectively solve it. Understanding the Problem In your case, the error message highlighted that there was an unexpected token near fi. This typically means that the if statement has not been closed properly or that there is an inappropriate syntax after fi. The relevant portion of your Bash script was as follows: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] The above snippet throws an error because the && operator is incorrectly placed following the last fi. It indicates that there should be another command to execute after the closing fi but none is provided, leading to the syntax error. Solution Breakdown To resolve the issue, let’s break down the solution into clear sections. Identify the Error Line You mentioned the error is occurring at line 28, which corresponds to this part of the code: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] The problem lies with the && after the second fi. This isn't needed as it implies continuation of commands after the last if statement. Correcting the Syntax To fix the code and avoid the syntax error, you need to remove the unnecessary && after the closing fi. Here's how the corrected version should look: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Example of Proper Use of if Statements Here’s a basic example demonstrating correct usage of if statements in Bash: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Key Takeaways Always ensure that each if statement is closed with a corresponding fi. Avoid unnecessary syntax elements like && when they're not leading into another command. Read error messages carefully; they often point directly to the line containing the problem. Conclusion While working with Bash scripts, encountering syntax errors such as the syntax error near unexpected token "fi" can be frustrating. However, by carefully going through the script and ensuring proper syntax, you can resolve these issues effectively. Make it a habit to check your if statements and use clear logical structures in your scripts to avoid similar pitfalls in the future. By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll enhance your scripting skills and maintain cleaner, error-free bash scripts in your developments. Happy scripting!