On 12 Feb 2011, at 11:57, Ralf Goertz wrote: > > Hi, > > I am wondering what the reasoning might be for this seeming > inconsistence. > >> i=08 >> if [ $i -lt 9 ] ; then echo ok; fi > ok >> if [ $((i)) -lt 9 ] ; then echo ok; fi > bash: 08: value too great for base (error token is "08") > > Why is 08 not tried to be interpreted as octal when *numerically* compared > using test? > >
I stand by my general recommendation of always using (( when performing arithmetic tests, [[ when testing strings and files, and never [, unless your shebang is not actually bash. It will save you from a great many pitfalls and inconsistencies.
