Mastering Linux Shell Scripting

More conditions with elif

Moving onto where we require a greater degree of control, we can use the elif keyword. Unlike else, elif requires an additional condition to be tested for each elif. In this way, we can provide for different circumstances. We can add in as many elif conditions as required. The following shows a pseudo-code:

if condition; then
statement
elif condition; then
statement
else
statement
fi
exit 0

A script may make life easier for the operator by providing a simplified selection for a more complex code. Even though the script becomes gradually more complex to meet the requirements, to the operator the execution is greatly simplified. It is our job to enable users to run more complex operations easily from the command line when ...