The script I provided has a mis-typed comment on line 6. The script should be: ################################################################ # The behavior of conditionals depends on whitespace # Source this script to test it # This formatting works as expected; evaluates the "true" block. # Result: # "It is 2" # <=== The original had a typo here, included NOT # if { = 2 2 } { echo "It is 2" } { echo "It is NOT 2" } # This formatting causes a BUG: both the "true" block and the "false" block are evaluated. # I tried several combinations, it appears it the "false" block starts on it's own line, # it is no longer treated a part of the "if" expression. Which could be argued # is expected because there is no "else" that would define whether the second block # is not part of the "if" expression. BUT see next test # # Result: # "It is 3" # "It is NOT 3" # if { = 3 3 } { echo "It is 3" } { echo "It is NOT 3" } # BUT we get the same incorrect result if we place the whole if expression into {} { if { = 4 4 } { echo "It is 4" } { echo "It is NOT 4" } } ######################################################################