elif

View documentation for if command

$ tldr if

'elif' is not a command; it's part of shell scripting syntax
Example within a bash script:
if [ condition1 ]; then
# commands to execute if condition1 is true
elif [ condition2 ]; then
# commands to execute if condition1 is false AND condition2 is true
else
# commands to execute if both condition1 and condition2 are false
fi

There is no standard 'elif' command in Linux or Unix-like operating systems. The term 'elif' is a construct commonly used in shell scripting, specifically within `if` statements. It's a shorthand for 'else if' and allows you to chain multiple conditions together within a single `if` block. It's part of the shell's control flow syntax, not a standalone executable. Therefore, you cannot execute `elif` directly from the command line.

Attempting to use 'elif' directly at the command line outside of a shell script or interactive shell context will result in a syntax error. It's important to understand that 'elif' has no meaning outside of the `if` statement structure within a shell script.

The `elif` statement provides a more concise way to handle multiple conditions than nested `if` statements. It enhances readability and reduces indentation complexity in scripts. Each `elif` condition is evaluated only if all preceding `if` and `elif` conditions are false. The `else` block, if present, is executed only if none of the `if` or `elif` conditions are true.

'elif' is a core part of control flow in shell scripting. Understanding how `if`, `elif`, `else`, `fi`, `for`, `while`, and `case` statements work is crucial for writing effective and efficient shell scripts.

if(1), else(1), fi(1), test(1), [(1), case(1)