Programming Tutorials

Nested if-else-fi in Linux Shell Script

By: Dorris Printer Friendly Format    

You can write the entire if-else construct within either the body of the if statement of the body of an else statement. This is called the nesting of ifs.

Run the above shell script as follows:
$ chmod +x nestedif.sh
$ ./nestedif.sh
1. Unix (Sun Os)
2. Linux (Red Hat)
Select you os choice [1 or 2]? 1
You Pick up Unix (Sun Os)

$ ./nestedif.sh
1. Unix (Sun Os)
2. Linux (Red Hat)
Select you os choice [1 or 2]? 2
You Pick up Linux (Red Hat)

$ ./nestedif.sh
1. Unix (Sun Os)
2. Linux (Red Hat)
Select you os choice [1 or 2]? 3
What you don't like Unix/Linux OS.

Note that Second if-else constuct is nested in the first else statement. If the condition in the first if statement is false the the condition in the second if statement is checked. If it is false as well the final elsestatement is executed.

You can use the nested ifs as follows also:
Syntax:

	if condition
	then
		if condition
		then
			.....
			..
			do this
		else
			....
			..
			do this
		fi
	else
		...
		.....
		do this
	fi