Why might [ -e file ] return true but [ -s file ] return false in a bash script?

hard🧠 Conceptual Q10 of 15

Bash Scripting - File Operations in Scripts

Why might [ -e file ] return true but [ -s file ] return false in a bash script?

AFile is not readable

BFile does not exist

CFile is a directory

DFile exists but is empty (size zero)

Step-by-Step Solution

Solution:

Step 1: Understand -e and -s operators
-e returns true if file exists, regardless of size. -s returns true only if file exists and size > 0.
Step 2: Reason about the scenario
If -e is true but -s is false, the file exists but is empty.
Final Answer:
File exists but is empty (size zero) -> Option D
Quick Check:
-e true and -s false means empty file [OK]

Quick Trick: -e true and -s false means file is empty [OK]

Common Mistakes:

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