Compilation error character is missing-UNIX shell script

UNIX for Beginners Q & A
1

Dear Friends,
Regarding Compilation error character is missing-unix shell script
I am new to unix shell script.

My requirement is --I need to find out 3 files in my UBM unix directory,if any one(CMUSER) file is available means,then i need to exit from my unix script,

Below is my unix shell script logic and need to check with you guys why I am getting compilation error( mentioned all details). please answer specific to my question..

cd /$UBCS
if [ -f /$UBM/CSUSER.LOCKED -o -f /$UBM/CSUSER.START]
     -o f /$UBM/CSUSER.UPDATE ];
then
   exit;
fi

my compilation error below

Enter script to execute: atm-autopbf
/rd23/gilbat/R2016/ubcs/atm-autopbf[38]: test: 0403-021 **A ] character is missing**
.
/rd23/gilbat/R2016/ubcs/atm-autopbf**[39]: -o:  **not found.****

 Not running C/S (SHELMATE MAXSESSIONS=0). Aborting ...

Press <ENTER> to continue:
2

There are several things:

  • There should be a space before the closing ] , anyway it should not be there
  • A minus sign is missing before -f
  • The last part is on a new line, so it either should be one line above or the should be a backslash as the last character on the line before

--
Note: The use of -o in test commands is deprecated. Consider using something like:

if
  [ -f "/$UBM/CSUSER.LOCKED" ] ||
  [ -f "/$UBM/CSUSER.START"  ] ||
  [ -f "/$UBM/CSUSER.UPDATE" ]
then
3

The reason the [ and ] characters have be set apart is that they are actually commands in terms of how the shell interprets them. Like awk or find .

For example on most systems if you use ls to list files in your /bin directory

$  ls -l /bin/[  
-rwxr-xr-x 1 Owner None 64019 Dec 16 15:54 '/bin/['

You will see a file that is named [ . Weird, I know, but it is a command and needs spaces around it like any other self-respecting word.