Does bash think this argument is a command?

Asked Apr 01 '19 at 12:46

Active Apr 01 '19 at 12:46

Viewed 28 times

In a bash script I have this line

$var=$(printf "$otherVar" | wc -l)

which is failing with the error

../test.sh: line 30: =60: command not found

which I find entirely inscrutable. Presumably =60 is something it found in the contents of $otherVar, but why would that cause problems for either printf or wc? It should just be data.

asked Apr 01 '19 at 12:46

Charles

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could you provide a complete example value of `$otherVar` ? – Gonzalo.- Apr 01 '19 at 12:49
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Remove the $ from $var. Assignments in bash don’t take $ on the left hand side. – Inian Apr 01 '19 at 12:57
@Inian Aah! Stupid mistake, doesn't appear on any of the other assignments but wouldn't you know... Thanks! – Charles Apr 01 '19 at 13:07

Does bash think this argument is a command?

0 Answers0