Shell script: how to check whether a directory is empty?

[cybermilky]

I'm writing a shell script that checks the read/write permission of a file. I encounter some problems of the if-else statement which consists of some syntax errors. What's wrong with my shell programming?
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#!/bin/sh
echo "Enter a file: \c"
read file
if [ -r "$file -a -w "$file" ]
then
echo "$file is readable and writable."
elif [ -r "$file" -a ! -w "$file" ]
then
echo "$file is readable but not writable."
else
echo "$file is not readable and not writable"
fi
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The script is supposed to read a file from user and then checks whether it is readable or writable. How do I correct my errors?

[Tom Danzig · Accepted solution]

You're missing a double quote:

if [ -r "$file -a -w "$file" ]

S/B

if [ -r "$file" -a -w "$file" ]

[Martin Robinson]

I am curious as the difference between the title of your post and the problem you describe therein. Have you solved the problem described by the title?

[Theresa Patrie]

Martin,
The title of this post is the same as another post from cybermilky on the same day. Must have forgotten to change the title on this one.
Theresa