test -z command 2

[goldenradium2001]

I have a file called hello with nothing in it. I created it using the following command:

# touch hello

When I do in the C shell:

# test -z hello
# echo $status

I get a nonzero status of 1. I thought that the -z was used to test if the hello file had anything in it. The definition I've always seen was that the -z means to test if the file is zero length. There is nothing in the hello file. So why does it give me a 1 exit status?

Please help!

Thanks in advance.

 

[olded]

Goldenradium:

I'm not csh expert, but I believe the test -z works only on checking whether shell variables are null. At least, that's the only way it works on Solaris 7. I'd check your man page on test.

Regards,

Ed

 

[olded]

Golden:

I think you want test -s - filename has a size greater than 0.

Ed

 

[jamisar]

-z is for string-length
olded's answers is correct. -----------
when they don't ask you anymore, where they are come from, and they don't tell you anymore, where they go ... you'r getting older !