Windows Linux Terminal & Shell Scripting Expanded guide Terminal

Windows `if` equivalent in Linux

Tests a condition and executes different code depending on whether it is true or false.

Reference maintained by Win-Linux.com · How mappings are evaluated

Windows if

→

Linux equivalents

Debian/Ubuntu same command

if [ condition ]; then ... fi

Fedora same command

if [ condition ]; then ... fi

Arch same command

if [ condition ]; then ... fi

Overview

What this command does

On Windows, "if" is used to conditional branching in scripts. On Linux, the closest practical mapping shown here is "if [ condition ]; then ... fi". Tests a condition and executes different code depending on whether it is true or false. This reference is grouped under Terminal & Shell Scripting → Terminal.

Migration tip: Use <code>[[ ]]</code> (double brackets) in bash — it's more powerful than <code>[ ]</code> and handles edge cases better. Always quote variables: <code>"$var"</code> not <code>$var</code>.

Windows → Linux context

What changes when you use this on Linux?

Same name, different environment

The basic command name if is familiar on both platforms, but Linux path rules, quoting, permissions and available options can still change the result.

Portable across the compared distros

The Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch rows use the same command in this mapping. Package availability or defaults can still vary, so check the installed tool version when an option behaves differently.

Command-specific caution

Spaces inside brackets are mandatory: [ $x -eq 1 ] works but [$x -eq 1] does not.

For the broader concept behind this mapping, read Linux command-line basics.

Practical tasks

Common use cases

Conditional branching in scripts

Tests a condition and executes different code depending on whether it is true or false.

[ -f file ]

True if file exists

[ -d dir ]

True if directory exists

[ -z "$var" ]

True if variable is empty

Ready to run

Copyable Linux commands

Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.

if [ -f "/etc/hosts" ]; then

echo "File exists"

fi

if [ "$USER" = "root" ]; then

echo "Running as root"

else

echo "Normal user"

Walkthrough

Examples with explanations

# Windows: if exist file.txt echo yes
if [ -f "/etc/hosts" ]; then
  echo "File exists"
fi

# if/else:
if [ "$USER" = "root" ]; then
  echo "Running as root"
else
  echo "Normal user"
fi

Reference

Common options and variations

Command or option	Use
`[ -f file ]`	True if file exists
`[ -d dir ]`	True if directory exists
`[ -z "$var" ]`	True if variable is empty
`[ "$a" = "$b" ]`	String equality
`[ $a -eq $b ]`	Numeric equality
`[ $a -gt $b ]`	Numeric greater-than

Distro differences

Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch

Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch all use "if [ condition ]; then ... fi" for this mapping. The command syntax shown here is portable across the three rows, although installed versions and system defaults can still vary.

Distribution	Package manager / base	Equivalent command	Difference to notice
Debian/Ubuntu	same command	`if [ condition ]; then ... fi`	Same command on this distribution.
Fedora	same command	`if [ condition ]; then ... fi`	Same command on this distribution.
Arch	same command	`if [ condition ]; then ... fi`	Same command on this distribution.

Important

What to watch out for

Spaces inside brackets are mandatory: [ $x -eq 1 ] works but [$x -eq 1] does not.

Keep learning

What this command does

What changes when you use this on Linux?

Same name, different environment

Portable across the compared distros

Command-specific caution

Common use cases

Conditional branching in scripts

[ -f file ]

[ -d dir ]

[ -z "$var" ]

Copyable Linux commands

Examples with explanations

Common options and variations

Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch

What to watch out for

Related Terminal & Shell Scripting commands