Check if remote directory exists using ssh

Question

I am trying to find out it a remote directory exists or not. However I just cannot manage to do it.

So far I tried the following

if [ ssh myUser@myHost '[ -d /home/targetDirectory ]' ] ; then
    echo "Directory does exist"
fi

But I keep getting the error ssh binary operator expected. I dont see what am I doing wrong here.

`[` is a command, not part of the syntax of the `if` statement. — chepner, Jan 15 '20 at 17:37

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 15 '20 at 15:32

0

You got it, nearly.
Remove the outer brackets

if ssh myUser@myHost '[ -d /home/targetDirectory ]' ; then
    echo "Directory does exist"
fi

answered Jan 15 '20 at 15:32

jeb

but why do I need to remove the outer brackets? I mean, how does bash interprets it with and without? – malajedala Jan 16 '20 at 08:44
In the comment from @chepner is the key point, also look at [How to check the exit status using an if statement](https://stackoverflow.com/a/26675771/463115) – jeb Jan 16 '20 at 09:21
Ok, maybe I have to put some more time in understanding this, so far it is still confusing – malajedala Jan 16 '20 at 15:07

1 Answers1