Integer comparisons (-eq, -ne, -gt, -lt, -ge, -le) in Bash Scripting - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

💻 Command Output

intermediate

What is the output of this Bash integer comparison?

Consider the following Bash script snippet. What will it print?

Bash Scripting

a=5
b=10
if [ $a -lt $b ]; then
  echo "a is less than b"
else
  echo "a is not less than b"
fi

A a is less than b

B a is not less than b

C No output

D Syntax error

💡 Hint

Remember that -lt means 'less than' in Bash integer comparisons.

Since 5 is less than 10, the condition '[ $a -lt $b ]' is true, so the script prints 'a is less than b'.

💻 Command Output

intermediate

What output does this script produce with -ne operator?

What will this Bash script print?

Bash Scripting

x=7
y=7
if [ $x -ne $y ]; then
  echo "x and y are different"
else
  echo "x and y are the same"
fi

A x and y are different

B x and y are the same

C Syntax error

D No output

💡 Hint

The -ne operator means 'not equal'.

Since x and y both equal 7, the condition '[ $x -ne $y ]' is false, so the else branch runs.

💻 Command Output

advanced

What is the output of this script using multiple integer comparisons?

What will this Bash script print?

Bash Scripting

num=15
if [ $num -ge 10 ] && [ $num -le 20 ]; then
  echo "num is between 10 and 20"
else
  echo "num is outside the range"
fi

A Syntax error

B num is outside the range

C num is between 10 and 20

D No output

💡 Hint

Check if num is greater or equal to 10 AND less or equal to 20.

15 is between 10 and 20 inclusive, so both conditions are true and the script prints the first message.

💻 Command Output

advanced

What error does this script raise due to incorrect integer comparison?

What happens when you run this Bash script?

Bash Scripting

val=abc
if [ $val -gt 5 ]; then
  echo "val is greater than 5"
else
  echo "val is not greater than 5"
fi

A val is greater than 5

B Syntax error

C val is not greater than 5

D integer expression expected error

💡 Hint

The variable val contains non-numeric characters.

Bash integer comparisons require numeric values. Using 'abc' causes an error about integer expression expected.

💻 Command Output

expert

What is the output of this complex integer comparison script?

Analyze the following Bash script and select the output it produces.

Bash Scripting

a=8
b=3
if [ $a -gt $b ]; then
  if [ $a -le 10 ]; then
    echo "a is greater than b and less or equal to 10"
  else
    echo "a is greater than b and greater than 10"
  fi
else
  echo "a is not greater than b"
fi

A a is greater than b and less or equal to 10

B a is greater than b and greater than 10

C a is not greater than b

D Syntax error

💡 Hint

Check both conditions carefully in the nested if statements.

Since 8 > 3 and 8 <= 10, the first echo statement runs.