Understanding the syntax error unexpected token near fi in Bash Scripts

Learn how to troubleshoot the common Bash scripting error: `syntax error unexpected token near fi`. We'll provide a step-by-step guide to fixing it. --- This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/68351952/ asked by the user 'Aviator' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/10395747/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/68351999/ provided by the user 'Pete' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/5227041/ ) 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: what is the meaning of error syntax error unexpected token near fi 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. --- Understanding the syntax error unexpected token near fi in Bash Scripts Bash scripting is a powerful tool used in computing for automation and task management. However, it can sometimes come with its share of errors, which can be quite frustrating. One common error that many users encounter is the syntax error unexpected token near fi. This guide aims to clarify what this error means and how to resolve it effectively. What Does the Error Mean? The error message syntax error unexpected token near fi indicates that there is a syntactical problem in your Bash script, specifically around the keyword fi, which closes an if condition. This usually means that: There is a mismatch in the structure of your if-else statements. An if statement has not been closed properly. There is an unexpected token or keyword in your code, which might disrupt the flow or structure of the conditional statements. Common Causes of the Error Some common reasons why you might see this error include: Extra or missing fi: If you have an extra fi or you missed closing an if block, it can lead to this error. Incorrect syntax in conditionals: If the way you're writing your conditions is incorrect, Bash may not understand it. Misplaced brackets or quotes: Sometimes, misplaced brackets or quotes can cause problems in the script. Breakdown of a Sample Problem Let’s take a look at the problematic code and analyze the source of the error: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] In the above script, the critical points to note are: The condition if [$incValue == "1"]; does not have proper spacing around the square brackets, which is a common source of syntax errors in Bash scripts. There is an extra fi that is unintended, which closes an if block that doesn't exist or hasn't been properly opened. How to Fix the Error Let’s apply the necessary changes to resolve the error: Correct the spacing in the conditional statement. Remove the extra fi and ensure that all if blocks are properly closed. Here’s the corrected version of the script: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Key Changes Made: Added necessary spaces around the brackets in the conditional checks. Fixed the positioning of the fi statements to ensure they correlate correctly with their corresponding if blocks. Conclusion Understanding the syntax error unexpected token near fi error is crucial for anyone engaging with Bash scripting. By ensuring proper structure, spacing, and syntax in your conditionals, you can effectively avoid and fix these common pitfalls. Regularly reviewing your scripts and debugging can go a long way in mastering Bash scripting. Happy scripting!