XK0-006 Automation, Orchestration, and Scripting Practice Question
A bash script needs to test whether a string variable $NAME is non-empty and equals 'admin'. Which of the following conditionals is correct?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
if [[ -n $NAME && $NAME == 'admin' ]]; then
In bash, [[ -n $NAME ]] tests if the string is non-empty, and == compares strings. Using double brackets is safer for string comparison.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
if [[ $NAME -ne '' && $NAME -eq 'admin' ]]; then
Why it's wrong here
The -ne and -eq operators perform integer comparison, so bash treats 'admin' as an arithmetic operand and errors rather than matching the string. It tempts because -ne reads naturally as 'not equal', and these operators are correct when both operands are genuinely numeric values being compared arithmetically.
- ✓
if [[ -n $NAME && $NAME == 'admin' ]]; then
Why this is correct
The -n test confirms the string is non-empty, and && requires the equality check to also pass. Both conditions must hold for the branch to execute, precisely matching the stem's requirement that $NAME be populated and equal to 'admin'.
- ✗
if [ $NAME != '' ] && [ $NAME == 'admin' ]; then
Why it's wrong here
Unquoted $NAME expands to nothing when empty, leaving [ != '' ], which bash rejects as a syntax error before the second test runs. It tempts because the logic is right and quoting is easy to overlook; this form works correctly whenever the variable is guaranteed non-empty at evaluation time.
- ✗
if [ ! -z $NAME -a $NAME = 'admin' ]; then
Why it's wrong here
Using -a in [ ] is valid but less robust; also -z tests empty, ! -z is non-empty. However, = is for string comparison in [ ]. This is technically correct but not as idiomatic as A.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Key term
Bash
Bash is a command-line interpreter that lets users interact with an operating system by typing text commands instead of clicking icons.
Key term
Bash script
A Bash script is a text file containing a sequence of commands for the Unix shell Bash, allowing users to automate repetitive tasks and streamline system administration on Linux and macOS.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This XK0-006 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the XK0-006 exam.