#!/bin/sh
# convertatemp - Temperature conversion script that lets the user enter
# a temperature in Fahrenheit, Celsius, or Kelvin and receive the
# equivalent temperature in the other two units as the output.
if [ $# -eq 0 ] ; then
cat << EOF >&2
Usage: $0 temperature[F|C|K]
where the suffix:
F indicates input is in Fahrenheit (default)
C indicates input is in Celsius
K indicates input is in Kelvin
EOF
exit 1
fi
unit="$(echo $1|sed -e 's/[-[[:digit:]]*//g' | tr '[:lower:]' '[:upper:]' )"
temp="$(echo $1|sed -e 's/[^-[[:digit:]]*//g')"
case ${unit:=F}
in
F ) # Fahrenheit to Celsius formula: Tc = (F - 32) / 1.8
farn="$temp"
cels="$(echo "scale=2;($farn - 32) / 1.8" | bc)"
kelv="$(echo "scale=2;$cels + 273.15" | bc)"
;;
C ) # Celsius to Fahrenheit formula: Tf = (9/5)*Tc+32
cels=$temp
kelv="$(echo "scale=2;$cels + 273.15" | bc)"
farn="$(echo "scale=2;((9/5) * $cels) + 32" | bc)"
;;
K ) # Celsius = Kelvin - 273.15, then use Cels -> Fahr formula
kelv=$temp
cels="$(echo "scale=2; $kelv - 273.15" | bc)"
farn="$(echo "scale=2; ((9/5) * $cels) + 32" | bc)"
esac
echo "Fahrenheit = $farn"
echo "Celsius = $cels"
echo "Kelvin = $kelv"
exit 0
Running the Script
I really like this script because I like the intuitive nature of the input format, even if it is pretty unusual for a Unix command. Input is entered as a numeric value, with an optional suffix that indicates the units of the temperature entered. To see the Celsius and Kelvin equivalents of the temperature 100 degrees Fahrenheit, enter 100F. To see what 100 degrees Kelvin is equivalent to in Fahrenheit and Celsius, use 100K. If no unit suffix is entered, this script works with Fahrenheit temperatures by default.
You'll see this same logical single-letter suffix approach again in Script #66, which converts currency values.
The Results
$ convertatemp 212
Fahrenheit = 212
Celsius = 100.00
Kelvin = 373.15
$ convertatemp 100C
Fahrenheit = 212.00
Celsius = 100
Kelvin = 373.15
$ convertatemp 100K
Fahrenheit = -279.67
Celsius = -173.15
Kelvin = 100
Hacking the Script
A few input flags that would generate a succinct output format suitable for use in other scripts would be a useful addition to this script. Something like convertatemp -c 100f could output the Celsius equivalent of 100 degrees Fahrenheit.