"Command not found" when attempting integer equality in bash

Question

Ok, this is probably going to be ultra obvious to anyone that has spent more time with bash than I have.

I'm trying to run this code:

#!/bin/bash

if ["1" -eq "2"] 
then
    echo "True"
else
    echo "False"
fi

but when I execute the file, it sends back

./test.sh: line 3: 1: command not found
False

There must be something major I'm missing. I've seen people use a semicolon after the brackets, this doesn't seem to make any difference... :S

Answer 1

You need to add a space after the [ and before the ] like so:

if [ "1" -eq "2" ]

However, that way is deprecated and the better method to use is:

#!/bin/bash

if ((1 == 2)) 
then
    echo "True"
else
    echo "False"
fi

Answer 2

yep eq is used only for arithmetic comparaisons.

for string comparison you have to use =

#!/bin/bash

if [ "1" = "2" ] 
then
    echo "True"
else
    echo "False"
fi

plus you need some space around the brackets.