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Bash chooses a conditional branch from the exit status of a command or command list. A status of 0 selects the commands after then; a nonzero status causes Bash to try each elif test in order, then an optional else fallback. The closing reserved word fi ends the construct.
Basic Bash if syntax
The general form documented in the GNU Bash Reference Manual is:
if test-commands; then
consequent-commands
elif more-test-commands; then
more-consequents
else
alternate-consequents
fielif and else are optional, and you may add multiple elif clauses. The semicolon before then is required when then is on the same line as the test list; placing then on the next line is also valid.
How Bash decides which branch runs
Bash executes the test-command list first. As the manual explains, “The test-commands list is executed, and if its return status is zero, the consequent-commands list is executed.” If that status is nonzero, Bash evaluates elif lists from top to bottom and selects the first one that returns zero. If none succeeds and an else clause exists, Bash runs its commands. See Conditional Constructs.
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This means an if condition is a command or command list whose exit status is tested, rather than necessarily a separately declared Boolean value. For example, grep can provide the status directly:
if grep -q 'enabled' settings.conf; then
printf 'The setting was foundn'
else
printf 'The setting was not foundn'
fiHere, grep -q returning zero selects the first branch; a nonzero status selects else.
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A practical if, elif and else example
if [[ -f "$config_file" ]]; then
printf 'Config file foundn'
elif [[ -d "$config_file" ]]; then
printf 'The path is a directoryn'
else
printf 'No config file at that pathn'
fiThe first test checks whether the path is a regular file. If it is not, the elif test checks for a directory. When neither test succeeds, the fallback message runs.
What each reserved word does
| Word | Purpose |
|---|---|
if |
Starts the conditional compound command. |
then |
Introduces commands to run when the preceding test list returns zero. |
elif |
Adds another test-and-body pair to the same conditional chain. |
else |
Introduces the fallback commands when no tested branch returns zero. |
fi |
Closes the entire if compound command. |
These words are Bash reserved words in the syntactic positions defined by the Bash Reference Manual. Bash uses elif, not a separate else if clause.
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Choosing between simple and multi-branch forms
Use a simple if
if [[ -d "$backup_dir" ]]; then
printf 'Backup directory is readyn'
fiWithout else, nothing runs when the test returns nonzero.
Use if and else
if [[ -r "$file" ]]; then
printf 'Readablen'
else
printf 'Not readablen'
fiThe else branch handles every case not accepted by the if test.
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Use an elif chain
if [[ "$level" == high ]]; then
printf 'High priorityn'
elif [[ "$level" == medium ]]; then
printf 'Medium priorityn'
elif [[ "$level" == low ]]; then
printf 'Low priorityn'
else
printf 'Unknown priorityn'
fiBash stops at the first successful test, so order matters when conditions can overlap.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common syntax mistakes
- Omitting
fi, which leaves the compound command unterminated. - Writing
else ifwhen a further branch should be written aselif ...; then. - Forgetting
then, or omitting the semicolon whenthenfollows the test on the same line. - Treating a nonzero status as success. In Bash conditionals, zero selects the tested branch and nonzero means that test did not succeed.
- Assuming
elseis mandatory. It is optional.
Reference version
The current GNU reference for this syntax is the Bash Version 5.3 manual, Edition 5.3, updated 18 May 2025. Its sections on Conditional Constructs and Reserved Words define the grammar and command-status behavior.
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