Bash non-null/non-zero check multiple string variables

Question

I am trying to check if multiple command line arguments are set. Eg.

if [-n "$1"] && [-n "$2"] && [-n "$3"]; then
   do something
else
   do something else
fi

But I keep getting

bash: [-n: command not found

What's the correct way to do this?

Inian · Accepted Answer · 2016-11-24 09:31:43Z

4

You need spaces between the braces, i.e.

if [ -n "$1" ] && [ -n "$2" ] && [ -n "$3" ]; then

if [[ -n "$1" && -n "$2" && -n "$3" ]]; then

answered Nov 24, 2016 at 9:27

Inian

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2 Comments

wow I wouldn't have spotted that one thanks! will accept when it lets me

@PaulStatham: You can always use shellcheck.net to debug such syntax issues in the future.