Bash shell, trying to create and evaluate a mask

Question

I'm trying to create a mask and use the bitwise operator "&" to compare to another variable and see the output. Let there be code: ``` mask=00000 mesk=00010 mosk=$mask&$mesk echo $mosk echo meec ``` I'm trying to expand this functionality to be able to have more characters (different error/success codes), but those lines just don't work: Executing the script will print an empty line, then "meec". I came from an object oriented programming background, and although I've read through several documents on this subject, it seems there's something I'm missing. Any help would be appreciated. Edit: For some reason, turns out the code doesn't work, it says "command 00010 not found" >_>

Accepted Answer

It's because usually the `&` character in the shell is the modifier to put a command in the background.

You have to use Arithmetic Expansion of Bash (for example) for it to work:

```
mosk=$(($mask & $mesk))
```

Bash shell, trying to create and evaluate a mask

Solution

Problem