Arithmetic expressions in Bash?

Question

I had used several ways to do some simple integer arithmetic in BASH (3.2). But I can't figure out the best (preferred) way to do it.

result=`expr 1 + 2`
result=$(( 1 + 2 ))
let "result = 1 + 2"

What are the fundamental differences between those expressions?
Is there other ways to do the same?

Is the use of a tool like bc mandatory for floating point arithmetic?

result=`echo "7/354" | bc`

Prorate

Answer 1

In Bash, let allows multiple assignments on a line:

let a=3 b=4 c=5

As you show in your question, quoting the argument to let allows you to put spaces around the operators. You can, however, omit the quotes if you avoid using spaces.

Another form using double parentheses at the beginning of the statement (instead of the i=$((j + 1)) form) allows you to include spaces around the equal sign or do post- or pre- increment or decrement and additional assignment operations:

(( a = ( b + c ) * 4 ))
(( count++ ))
(( d = --c**2 ))
(( e *= 2 ))
(( f = 3, g = 5 ))    # multiple operations require a comma separator

If you do help "((" it says that the double parentheses is 'Equivalent to "let EXPRESSION".'

You can use the declare builtin to make assignments, including indirectly:

blue=2
name=blue
declare $name=4
echo $blue    # result: 4
echo ${!name} # result: 4

Edit:

The $(()) construct is called "arithmetic expansion" and causes the contents to be evaluated as an integer expression. It's a syntax element of the shell.

If a variable is declared as an integer you don't need to use either form of double parentheses, you can omit the dollar sign from the variable name (as in the double-parentheses forms), but you can't add spaces around operators:

declare -i x=1   # set integer, initialize to 1
declare +i s=1   # clear integer, initialize to 1
x+=1             # could also be x=x+1
echo $x          # result: 2 (addition)
s+=1             # could also be s=$s+1, requires a "$"
echo $s          # result: 11 (string concatenation)

Unlike the forms above, calling expr involves spawning an external executable which can be quite expensive for a lot of calculations in a loop. The only time it should be used is in environments where the shell can't do its own arithmetic or for portability when a script may find its way into such an environment. POSIX shells have arithmetic capability so it would be a concern only with older systems.

Regarding the use of bc for floating point arithmetic, it or something similar is required when using Bash and many other shells. POSIX says that "Only signed long integer arithmetic is required."

Two shells that do support float math are ksh and zsh. In addition to bc, you can use dc, AWK, Python, Perl and others from within a Bash script.

One thing that Bash will do with floating point numbers is print them with the printf builtin (note that there is also an external printf, but builtins have priority).

printf "%'14.4f\n" 1234.56  # result "    1,234.5600" (in my locale)

Houseman

You failed to discuss the implications of spawning expr etc. and whether $(()) is a bultin or not. – Boche

@Vlad: I hope you find the additions an improvement. – Houseman

Answer 2

I prefer your second option, since it doesn't need an external utility:

result=$(( 1 + 2 ))

The first option calls out to expr to do the math - I'm not familiar with let. Another alternative to bc is dc. Choose your favourite.

Exhale

Answer 3

I can't say it's "mandatory" but bc is probably your best bet for general purpose arithmetic.

For something fancier, you can always pipe through Perl.

The downside of both thee approaches is that they both open a child process, so doing it in a tight loop will be slower than native bash expressions (same problem arises with use of backticks, in your first example). I'm not sure whether $(()) calls a child process.

Skillet

Answer 4

Is the use of a tool like bc mandatory for floating point arithmetic?

No, if you are using a shell that supports floating point, eg zsh, ksh. Otherwise, if you want to do more advanced floating point maths, use either one of these, bc/awk/dc. Of course, Perl/Python etc as well.

Cardenas

Answer 5

The third option you have is a lot less readable as it does not look like an assignment operator. The first, as noted by others, calls an external command

Monstrosity