How to Fix the syntax error near unexpected token in Bash Scripts

Learn how to resolve the common Bash error `syntax error near unexpected token` with this comprehensive guide. --- This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/71829823/ asked by the user 'grvictor' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/18773042/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/71829995/ provided by the user 'rob mayoff' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/77567/ ) 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: How to solve the Bash error "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. --- How to Fix the syntax error near unexpected token in Bash Scripts When working with Bash scripts on CentOS or other Linux distributions, it's not uncommon to encounter the frustrating error message: "syntax error near unexpected token." This error can arise from various issues within your code, especially when handling conditionals and input. In this post, we will break down a common example of this error, understand its causes, and provide a clear approach to fixing it. Understanding the Error Say you have a Bash script intended to ask a user for a filename and perform operations like copying, moving, or deleting that file based on user input. However, when you run the script, you encounter the following error message: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] This indicates there are issues in your script, particularly around line 7, but it could also refer to earlier lines where the problem originates. Example Bash Script Here's a simplified version of the script that led to this error: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Identifying the Issues 1. Unterminated String Literals The first thing to notice are the unterminated strings in the echo commands. Check these lines: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] This line lacks the closing quote, which should be: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Make sure to terminate all string literals properly. Repeat this for similar echo statements in the script. 2. Incorrect else Statement The else clause is improperly formed: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] This should be rewritten to properly call the echo command: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] 3. Missing Closing fi Every if statement must end with a corresponding fi. In your script, you have: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Make sure that you've closed each if block with the appropriate fi. 4. Spacing Issues In conditional expressions, ensure there is a space before the closing bracket ]: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] This syntax should include a space after the last quote and before the ] like this: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Make sure to correct this throughout your conditional checks. The same applies for checks against "D" and other possible cases. Final Revised Script Here’s how the corrected script should look: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Conclusion The syntax error near unexpected token message is a clear indication that there’s a mistake lurking in your Bash script. By being mindful of unterminated strings, spacing, and proper syntax, you can solve errors effectively and avoid future headaches. We hope this guide helps you troubleshoot and improve your Bash scripting skills. Happy coding!