Checking if a string starts with another string

Question

Simple enough issue but I cannot seem to solve it. I need the below to be True.

var1="was shot by skeleton"
var2="was shot by"

if [ "$var1" == "$var2" ]; then
    echo "true"; else
    echo "false"
fi

I have Tried putting "*" beside var2 but no luck.

Thanks, Simon

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 01 '13 at 15:42

1

Try double brackets :

if [[ "$var1" == *"$var2"* ]]; then
.....

answered Sep 01 '13 at 15:42

iamauser

Yep that worked! Could you explain why? Thanks! – Simon Kay Sep 01 '13 at 15:49
1

great... here is some info... http://serverfault.com/questions/52034/what-is-the-difference-between-double-and-single-square-brackets-in-bash ... – iamauser Sep 01 '13 at 15:51

1 Answers1