test (Unix)

test is a command-line utility found in Unix-like operating systems that evaluates conditional expressions.

test was turned into a shell builtin command in 1981 with UNIX System III and at the same time made available under the alternate name [.^[1]

References

test – Shell and Utilities Reference, The Single UNIX Specification, Version 5 from The Open Group
Robbins, Arnold; Nelson H. F. Beebe (2005). "6.2.4 The test Command". Classic Shell Scripting: Hidden Commands that Unlock the Power of Unix. O'Reilly Media, Inc. pp. 120–128. ISBN 978-0-596-55526-9.
Ian Shields (20 February 2007). "Linux tip: Bash test and comparison functions". IBM DeveloperWorks.
William Shotts (2013). "27 – Flow Control: Branching With if". The Linux Command Line. No Starch Press. pp. 381–390. ISBN 978-1-59327-389-7. (free download)

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Categories Standard Unix programs Unix SUS2008 utilities List