Hi all,

This is a simple script for some other I’m doing, but before change example1 I wanted to test with an example 2.

The code must be work this way.

./test James
Good morning James--- END

./test nojames
Usage: ./test James or james.

Code I have done, but Im having a hard brain fart, is this.

#!/bin/bash
name=$1

if ($name != “James” -o $name != “james” ); then
echo "usage: $0 James or james"
exit 1
else

echo "Good morning $name"

fi

Don´t freak out until you know the facts...Relax...!

Try [] instead of ().

Try -a instead of -o.

I already did that before, but didnt help, some other clue ?

Thanks.

Don´t freak out until you know the facts...Relax...!

Also make sure that:

there is a space/blank right after [

there is a space/blank right before ]

What happens?

Great, it worked.

But, what does -a do ?... why didnt it work with -o, I had made some other codes with -o and it work ?..

Thanks Guy...

Don´t freak out until you know the facts...Relax...!

Are you familiar with boolean algebra? In shell the -a is the "and" and the -o is "or".

($name != “James” -o $name != “james”

The above reads if name is NOT James or name is NOT james, it is true. If you stop to think about it, with an "or" either [Jj]ames is still true.

Check out this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boolea...

click on "AND" for further info.

If you stil have trouble, try something like this:

# untested
if [ $name = "James" -o $name = "james" ]
then
:
else
echo "name is not [Jj]ames"
fi

thanks Nails.

I already got some torrents for O'Reilly bash scripting.

and found some interesting links, including yours, but it will always be helpfull to post here ;)

Don´t freak out until you know the facts...Relax...!