In order to make LinuxGSM as coherent as possible, we adopted some code conventions to follow. Here are some of them.

Variables

Naming variables

Variables should be made of lowercase letters only.

Defining variables

Any variable should be defined through double quotes

var="value"

Calling variables

Variable should always be called between brackets and double quotes to prevent globbing and word splitting.

echo "${var}"

Directories

Directories are called using LinuxGSM directories variables, or relative to those.

Examples:

cp "config.cfg" "${servercfgfullpath}"
find "${executabledir}/bin"

if Statements

If statements should look like the following

if [ "${shortname}" == "csgo" ];then
   # content
fi

if statements with multiple options like so

if [ "${shortname}" == "csgo" ]||[ "${shortname}" == "css" ]; then
   # content
fi

Conditional checks

Syntax

• The if [ statement ]; then should be a one-liner operation.

• Signs comparators like ==, lt, lt etc. are prefered to -eq, -le, -lt.

• Anything within an if statement must be tabulated one step deeper.

Example:

if [ "${test}" == "${var}" ]; then
    mycheck="true"
fi

Expression Standards

Avoid ! -zand ! -n

-z true if the length of string is zero. -n True if the length of string is non-zero.

To check var exists Use -v

Use the -v expression to check a var exists instead of -z and -n as it is specifically designed to check if a var exists

note: although -v is preferred sometimes -z is required to get the correct results.

-v True if the shell variable varname is set (has been assigned a value).

if [ -v varname ]; then
 # Variable exists
fi

if [ ! -v varname ]; then
 # Variable does not exist
fi

-v does not have an opposite so the ! -v needs to be used.

Loops

• Loops should be a one liner statement.

• Anything within a loop must be tabulated one step deeper.

while [ "${var}" < "${cap}" ]; do
    echo "This is tabulated"
    let var=var+1
done

Comments

As English is not always the native language of a developer, comments should use a formal writing style and be straight to the point. If unsure this short formal writing guide will help.

# Using comments help developers understand complex code, but should be used sparingly.

Functions

• Function should be named starting with fn_ and using lowercase letters only.

• Any recurrent task should be put into a function.

• Anything within a function must be tabulated one step deeper.

Example:

fn_myfunction(){
    echo "This is tabulated"
}

Messages

• Messages should be given using core_messages.sh forms

• Additional information messages are given in the form of echo " * Message here"

Automated Messages

Automated messages are used with any commands that are non-interactive. Examples of this include Start, Stop and Monitor. There are various different alert messages available see [[Exit-Codes]] for details.

Each automated message starts with fn_print_dots to show a process is happening but with no known outcome.

fn_print_dots

[ .... ] Starting fctrserver:

Once an outcome of a process is known the message uses an outcome message like fn_print_ok or fn_print_fail

fn_print_ok

[  OK  ] Starting fctrserver: Factorio Server

The option of a newline is also available by appending _nl for example fn_print_ok_nl. This will add a carriage return to the message preventing it being overwritten by the next message.

[  OK  ] Stopping fctrserver: Graceful: CTRL+c: 2: OK
[ .... ] Starting fctrserver: Factorio Server

Characteristics

Interactive messages contain extra detail at the begining of teh message that is pre-populated. Full stops must not be used with this type of message.

Interactive Messages

Interactive messages are used with any commands that have interactive elements. Examples of this include Install, console and debug. There are various different alert messages available see [[Exit-Codes]] for details.

Warning! If fctrserver is already running it will be stopped.

standard echo commands are normally used to supplement an alert or if an alert is not required. Bullet points can also be used

Information! Press "CTRL+b" then "d" to exit console.
Warning! Do NOT press CTRL+c to exit.
* https://docs.linuxgsm.com/commands/console

Characteristics

Treat interactive messages as a standard sentence. All messages must begin with a capital and end with a full stop