Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site bsdpkh.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!akguc!codas!bsdpkh!latham From: latham@bsdpkh.UUCP (Ken Latham) Newsgroups: net.unix-wizards Subject: Re: In sh, is '[' a portable synonym for 'test'? Message-ID: <115@bsdpkh.UUCP> Date: Wed, 23-Oct-85 14:52:52 EDT Article-I.D.: bsdpkh.115 Posted: Wed Oct 23 14:52:52 1985 Date-Received: Fri, 25-Oct-85 02:36:10 EDT References: <482@phri.UUCP> <2887@sun.uucp> <313@bdaemon.UUCP> <2908@sun.uucp> Distribution: net Organization: AT&T-IS (SDSS), Orlando Fl. Lines: 20 In reference to what I assume was the original question.... In sh, is ' [ ... ] ' a portable synonym for 'test ... ' The answer ( according to Bell Laboratories ) is NO! See Unix system V Programmer's manual ( under 'test' ) ( it states that SOME unix systems accept this notation ) However, both system V and system V.2 accept it! ( I double checked! ) I personally do not use it as it tends to mislead some people into believing that it is an internal function of the shell. Yours, ( well may not *yours* ) Ken Latham ( signature is in the primordial stages )