Print condition result directly in bash without using if

Question

Let's say I have this simple code:

echo "Are there any arguments?"
if [ $# -eq 0 ]; then
    echo "false"
else
    echo "true"
fi

As you can see it would be better to just have opportunity to directly print condition result, but I don't know how to do it.

It would be something like:

echo "$([ $# -eq 0 ])"

But it doesn't work that way. Can we do this without if?

mr.spuratic · Answer 1 · 2015-10-15 19:46:48Z

up vote 2 down vote

You can use the list control operators && and || instead:

[[ $# -eq 0 ]] && { echo false; } || { echo true; }

The { } group a list of commands, you don't need them for just a single command, but they often make such constructions more readable.

answered Oct 15 '15 at 19:46

mr.spuratic

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choroba · Answer 2 · 2015-10-15 19:46:38Z

up vote 1 down vote

You can use $? that keeps the exit code of the last executed command:

echo "Are there any arguments?"
[ $# -eq 0 ]
echo $?

answered Oct 15 '15 at 19:46

choroba

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2 Answers 2