Syntax error near

Question

For quite some time now I have been struggling with this little code segment.

#!/bin/bash

testFunction() { 

        if [ -d "/home/$USER/.skandPATH/" ] ; then 
                #Exists. Do nothing. 
        else 
                mkdir /home/$USER/.skandPATH/   #Does not exist. Creates directory 
                addedPathDir=1 
        fi
} 

testFunction

Every time I run it I get the following message:

./functionInScript.sh: line 7: syntax error near unexpected token `else'
./functionInScript.sh: line 7: `else '

I've searched through dozens of "syntax error near unexpected token bash" and tried dozens of suggestions.

I have run dos2unix (even though I'm using Mint) on the file. I have escaped the dots in ".skandPATH" but that doesn't seem to make a difference. I have tried deleting every whitespace character and tab character. I have tried commenting out lines and executed the script in order to try and pinpoint the problem, to no avail. I'm at my wits end trying to find what's wrong here!

If you could help me... I would be most grateful.

@Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams It worked. I had no idea that it was a must to have at least one command in a block. I am very grateful. Thank you! — user2495181, Jun 26 '13 at 00:49
In the future, you might find [shellcheck.net](http://www.shellcheck.net/) helpful for figuring out such strange bash errors. In this case, it says "Can't have empty then clauses (use 'true' as a no-op)." — that other guy, Jun 26 '13 at 01:06
@thatotherguy Thanks for the reference. Looks really helpful. — jaypal singh, Jun 26 '13 at 01:17
@thatotherguy Thank you. I never would've guessed that such a website existed. — user2495181, Jun 26 '13 at 23:28

score 5 · Answer 1 · edited May 23 '17 at 10:25

5

You must have at least one command in a block; try :.

edited May 23 '17 at 10:25

Community

1
1

answered Jun 26 '13 at 00:46

Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams

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@thatotherguy Wow! I never would've guessed that this existed. Thank you! – user2495181 Jun 26 '13 at 23:27

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 26 '13 at 02:56

2

Why not:

#!/bin/bash

testFunction() { 
    if ! [ -d "/home/$USER/.skandPATH/" ] ; then 
            mkdir /home/$USER/.skandPATH/
            addedPathDir=1
    fi
} 

testFunction

answered Jun 26 '13 at 02:56

Rudy Matela

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2
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37

Syntax error near

2 Answers2