syntax of for loop in linux shell scripting

Question

I have a problem implementing a for loop. I get this error when I execute my script

test1.sh: 2: Syntax error: Bad for loop variable

I don't understand this error.

This is my script

#!/bin/bash
for (( c=1; c<=5; c++ ))
do
echo "Welcome $c times..."
done

can any one tell me syntax for for loop in sh(in ubuntu it links to dash shell) shell in ubuntu?

I don't get the same error as you for that - I get unexpected end of file. Anyway, you have a missing semicolon. — Robin Green, Apr 11 '11 at 20:33
That works for me. You probably have a weird character hidden in the text. — karlphillip, Apr 11 '11 at 20:35
For bash the syntax seems fine. Can you try to make sure you're running the right shell ? `ls -l /bin/bash`, maybe ? — Costi Ciudatu, Apr 11 '11 at 20:37
This works for me when you put the done statement on its own line. — Amir Afghani, Apr 11 '11 at 20:38
I ran it using sh instead of bash. Works fine in bash. Thanks everyone. — mkab, Apr 11 '11 at 20:58

score 37 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 11 '11 at 20:35

37

You probably run it with sh, not bash. Try bash test1.sh, or ./test1.sh if it's executable, but not sh test1.sh.

answered Apr 11 '11 at 20:35

Michael Krelin - hacker

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Works fine in bash as currently displayed in the post – Jim Garrison Apr 11 '11 at 20:42
Krelin: You are right. I ran it using sh instead of bash or "./". It works well now. Thanks – mkab Apr 11 '11 at 20:57
Yes works fine in bash. Make sh point to bash ( symbolic link) ! – Ankur Agarwal Apr 12 '11 at 00:48

Ken Bloom · Answer 2 · 2011-04-12T01:29:32.783

6

A standard POSIX shell only accepts the syntax for varname in list

The C-like for-loop syntax for (( expr1; expr2; expr3 )) is a bashism.

You can get similar behavior in the standard POSIX shell using for c in $(seq 1 5)

edited Apr 12 '11 at 01:29

answered Apr 11 '11 at 21:31

Ken Bloom

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score 1 · Answer 3 · edited Sep 10 '11 at 02:00

Your shell script (as shown) runs in both Korn shell and Bash. Some thoughts:

You might need a space after the shebang (#! /bin/bash and not #!/bin/bash). However, Dennis Ritchie had originally specified the space is optional. Besides, it isn't the error you get with Bourne shell (you get syntax error: '(' unexpected instead).
Are you on a Windows system? Just a stab in the dark. This doesn't look like a Windows error.
Is this Solaris or HP/UX system? They might not be running true versions of Bash, or maybe an older version. However, even the oldest version of Bash recognizes the for ((x;y;z)) construct.

Try this:

#! /bin/bash
set -vx
echo "Random = $RANDOM"   #Test for bash/Kornshell. Will be blank in other shells
echo \$BASH_VERSINFO[0] = ${BASH_VERSINFO[0]} #Should only work in BASH
echo \$BASH_VERSINFO[1] = ${BASH_VERSINFO[1]}
echo \$BASH_VERSINFO[2] = ${BASH_VERSINFO[2]}
echo \$BASH_VERSINFO[3] = ${BASH_VERSINFO[3]}
echo \$BASH_VERSINFO[4] = ${BASH_VERSINFO[4]}
echo \$BASH_VERSINFO[5] = ${BASH_VERSINFO[5]}
for ((c=0, c<=5, c++))
do
    echo "Welcome $c times"
done

The set -xv will display all lines as they are executed.
The $RANDOM should display a value if this is either BASH or Kornshell (your for loop will work in either one).
The {$BASH_VERINFO[x]} should only be set if this is truly BASH. These aren't even set even if you run Korn shell after you're in BASH (unlike $SHELL which will still contain bash).

If the for loop still gives you trouble, just delete it. Somewhere in this script, we'll find out if you're really executing a bash shell or not.

score 1 · Answer 4 · answered Apr 12 '11 at 00:47

1

What does

ls -l /bin/sh

give on your machine ?

Make sh a symbolic link to bash and then you can do sh ./test1.sh

answered Apr 12 '11 at 00:47

Ankur Agarwal

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syntax of for loop in linux shell scripting

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