{"id":112255,"date":"2023-08-03T19:07:33","date_gmt":"2023-08-03T13:37:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/data-flair.training\/blogs\/?p=112255"},"modified":"2023-08-03T19:07:13","modified_gmt":"2023-08-03T13:37:13","slug":"basic-operators-in-linux","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/data-flair.training\/blogs\/basic-operators-in-linux\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Operators in Linux"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this article, you will learn all there is to the control operators in Linux-based operating systems. We start from\u00a0 fundamentals like what an operator is and why it is used and only then jump into what operators are. We will discuss the different types of operators along with an example of it in a small shell program. So pay attention and read right till the end.<\/p>\n

What are operators?<\/h3>\n

If variables are the building blocks in computer science, operators are more like the cement that makes these variables meaningful and sometimes even build them into expressions. Operators are symbols that perform various different actions on variables.<\/p>\n

Types of operators in linux<\/h3>\n

The types of operators are standard in all programming languages, the only thing that seldom changes is the operators themselves. Let us look at the types of operators:<\/p>\n

1. Arithmetic Operators
\n2. Relational Operators
\n3. Boolean Operators
\n4. String Operators
\n5. File Test Operators<\/p>\n

Now that we have laid down the fundamentals, let us look at each of these types in more detail.<\/p>\n

Arithmetic operators in linux<\/h3>\n

As the name suggests, these operators help us in doing basic arithmetic problems, just like basic math problems consist of addition, division, subtraction, and multiplication (of course math is far more advanced like integrations, trigonometry, differentiation, and do much more!). Let us look at each of the arithmetic operators in detail with an example.<\/p>\n

1. Addition operator (+)<\/h4>\n

The addition operators are the variables it is encased in between. It is denoted by a plus symbol (+).<\/p>\n

2. Subtraction operator (-)<\/h4>\n

The subtraction operator subtracts the variables it is encased in between. It always subtracts the second number from the first number. It is denoted by a minus symbol (-).<\/p>\n

3. Division operator (\/)<\/h4>\n

The division operator divides the variables it is encased in between. It always divides the first number with the second number. It is denoted by a forward slash (\/).<\/p>\n

4. Multiplication operator (\\*)<\/h4>\n

The multiplication operator divides the variables it is encased in between. It is denoted by a backslash followed by an asterisk(\\*).<\/p>\n

5. Modulus operator (%)<\/h4>\n

The modulus operator divides the variables and prints the remainder. It is denoted by a percentage symbol (%).<\/p>\n

For Example: 10%3 will print 1 as output.<\/p>\n

Relational operators in linux<\/h3>\n

As the name suggests, these operators are used to relate 2 variables, these operators come in very handy while checking conditions in loops. Let us look at each of the relational operators with examples.<\/p>\n

1. Greater than operator (-gt)<\/h4>\n

The \u2018greater than operator\u2019 checks if the variable on the left is greater than the variable on the right or not. If it is greater, then the condition is true. It is denoted by \u201c-gt\u201d<\/p>\n

2. Less than operator (-lt)<\/h4>\n

The \u2018less than operator\u2019 checks if the variable on the left is less than the variable on the right or not. If it is greater, then the condition is true. It is denoted by \u201c-lt\u201d<\/p>\n

3. Greater than or equal to operator (-ge)<\/h4>\n

The \u201cgreater than or equal to\u201d operator checks if the variable or the number on the left-hand side is greater than or equal to the variable or number to its right. It is denoted by \u201c-ge\u201d’<\/p>\n

4. Less than or equal to operator (-le)<\/h4>\n

The \u201cless than or equal to\u201d operator checks if the variable or the number on the left-hand side is lesser than or equal to the variable or number to its right. It is denoted by \u201c-le\u201d.<\/p>\n

5. Equal to operator (-eq)<\/h4>\n

The \u201cequal to\u201d operator checks if the variables it is encased between are equal or not. It is denoted by \u201c-eq\u201d<\/p>\n

6. Not equal to operator (-ne)<\/h4>\n

The \u201cnot equal to\u201d operator checks if the variables it is encased between are not equal. It is denoted by \u201c-ne\u201d<\/p>\n

Logical operators in linux<\/h3>\n

Logical operators are slightly more intimidating, thankfully there are only a few of them, we will be mainly focusing on: \u201cLogical and\u201d, \u201cLogical or\u201d and \u201cLogical negation (!)\u201d. These club 2 or more relational statements to narrow down the condition even more. Let us look at how these work before we see an example.<\/p>\n

1. Logical and operator (&&)<\/h4>\n

The \u201clogical and operator\u201d will be true if and only if both the conditions are true, it will be false in all other cases, meaning it will be false if any one or both of the conditions are false. It is denoted by 2 ampersand symbols (&&). To understand this operator better, let us look at the truth table enclosed with different scenarios:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
NO<\/span><\/td>\nCONDITION\u00a0 1<\/span><\/td>\nCONDITION 2<\/span><\/td>\nCONDITION\u00a0 1 && CONDITION\u00a0 2<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1<\/span><\/td>\nTRUE<\/span><\/td>\nTRUE<\/span><\/td>\nTRUE<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/span><\/td>\nTRUE<\/span><\/td>\nFALSE<\/span><\/td>\nFALSE<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/span><\/td>\nFALSE<\/span><\/td>\nTRUE<\/span><\/td>\nFALSE<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4<\/span><\/td>\nFALSE<\/span><\/td>\nFALSE<\/span><\/td>\nFALSE<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

2. Logical or operator (||)<\/h4>\n

The \u201clogical or operator\u201d will be true if any one of the conditions is true, and it will be false if and only if both the conditions are false. It is denoted by 2 pipe symbols (||). To understand this operator better, let us look at the truth table enclosed with different scenarios:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
NO<\/span><\/td>\nCONDITION\u00a0 1<\/span><\/td>\nCONDITION 2<\/span><\/td>\nCONDITION\u00a0 1 || CONDITION\u00a0 2<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1<\/span><\/td>\nTRUE<\/span><\/td>\nTRUE<\/span><\/td>\nTRUE<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/span><\/td>\nTRUE<\/span><\/td>\nFALSE<\/span><\/td>\nTRUE<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/span><\/td>\nFALSE<\/span><\/td>\nTRUE<\/span><\/td>\nTRUE<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4<\/span><\/td>\nFALSE<\/span><\/td>\nFALSE<\/span><\/td>\nFALSE<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

3. Logical negation (!)<\/h4>\n

This operator is pretty simple, it simply inverts the truth value, if it is true, it will become false and vice versa:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
NO<\/span><\/td>\nCONDITION\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n! CONDITION\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1<\/span><\/td>\nTRUE<\/span><\/td>\nFALSE<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1<\/span><\/td>\nFALSE<\/span><\/td>\nTRUE<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

String operators in linux<\/h3>\n

Just like we have operators on numbers, we have operators on strings too! Let us first look at all 5 string operators before we look at examples of them cumulatively.<\/p>\n

1. =<\/strong>
\nThis string operator checks if the value of two operands are equal.<\/p>\n

2. !=<\/strong>
\nThis string operator checks if the value of two operands are not equal.<\/p>\n

3. -z<\/strong>
\nThis string operator checks if the given string operand size is zero<\/p>\n

4. -n<\/strong>
\nThis string operator checks if the given string operand size is non-zero<\/p>\n

5. Str<\/strong>
\nThis string operator checks if str is not an empty string<\/p>\n

File test operators<\/h3>\n

As the name suggests, these operators test different conditions on files. For example, these operators can check if a file is executable, ordinary, readable, is a directory or not and so many more things. Let us look at each file operator along with an example for a few.<\/p>\n

-b operator<\/strong>
\nThis file test operator checks if a file is a block special file<\/p>\n

-c operator<\/strong>
\nThis file test operator checks if the file is a character special file.<\/p>\n

-d operator<\/strong>
\nThis file test operator checks if the file is a directory.<\/p>\n

-f operator<\/strong>
\nThis file test operator checks if the file is an ordinary file or if it is a directory or special file.<\/p>\n

-g operator<\/strong>
\nThis operator checks if the file has its set group ID (SGID) bit set.<\/p>\n

-k operator<\/strong>
\nThis file test operator checks if the file has its sticky bit set.<\/p>\n

-p operator<\/strong>
\nThis file test operator checks if the file is a named pipe.<\/p>\n

-t operator<\/strong>
\nThis operator checks if the file descriptor is open and associated with a terminal.<\/p>\n

-u operator<\/strong>
\nThis operator checks if the file has its Set User ID (SUID) bit set.<\/p>\n

-r operator<\/strong>
\nThis file test operator checks if the file is readable.<\/p>\n

-w operator<\/strong>
\nThis file test operator checks if the file is writable.<\/p>\n

-x operator<\/strong>
\nThis file test operator checks if the file is executable.<\/p>\n

-s operator<\/strong>
\nThis file test operator checks if the file has size greater than zero.<\/p>\n

-e operator<\/strong>
\nThis file test operator checks if the file exists.<\/p>\n

Bitwise operators in linux<\/h3>\n

Bitwise operators are operators that perform bitwise operations on bit patterns. Let us look at each of the 6 bitwise operators along with an example.<\/p>\n

1. Bitwise and<\/strong><\/p>\n

The bitwise and operator performs the “binary and” operation on bit pattern operands.<\/p>\n

2. Bitwise or<\/strong><\/p>\n

The bitwise or operator performs the “binary or ” operation on bit pattern operands. It is denoted by a single ampersand symbol (&)<\/p>\n

3. Bitwise Xor<\/strong><\/p>\n

The bitwise Xor operator performs the “binary exclusive or” operation on bit pattern operands. It is denoted by a single pipe symbol (|)<\/p>\n

4. Bitwise complement<\/strong><\/p>\n

The bitwise complement operator performs the “binary not” operation on bit pattern operands. It is denoted by a wavy hyphen symbol (~).<\/p>\n

5. Left shift<\/strong><\/p>\n

The “left operator” shifts the bits of the left operand, to the left by the number of times that is specified by the operand right. It is denoted by 2 less than symbols (<<).<\/p>\n

6. Right shift<\/strong><\/p>\n

The “right operator” shifts the bits of the left operand, to the right by the number of times that is specified by the operand right. It is denoted by 2 greater than symbols (>>)<\/p>\n

Summary<\/h3>\n

As you have seen, operators are the backbone of any programming language let alone shell programming. You have now learned what operators are and the different types of operators used in shell programming, like arithmetic, logical, relational, string operators and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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