Linux Script to execute something when F1 is hitter - linux

Question

I have this script start.sh
#!/bin/bash
while[1]
do
read -sn3 key
if [$key=="\033[[A"]
then
./test1
else
./test2
fi
done
I want to set up a forever loop check see if F1 key pressed. If pressed execute test1 else test2. I did start.sh & running in background so other programs can run.
I got error
while [1] command not found
syntax error near unexpected token 'do'
[f==\033]: command not found
Also where is this read command located? I type which read, it didn't find it.
Also, if try ./start.sh & it gives totally different behavior. I enter a key and it says that key is not found. I though & just run the script at background

Answer 1

There are several basic syntax problems in your code (consider using shellcheck before posting to clean up these things), but the approach itself is flawed. Hitting "q" and "F1" produces different length inputs.
Here's a script relying on the fact that escape sequences all come in the same read call, which is dirty but effective:
#!/bin/bash
readkey() {
local key settings
settings=$(stty -g) # save terminal settings
stty -icanon -echo min 0 # disable buffering/echo, allow read to poll
dd count=1 > /dev/null 2>&1 # Throw away anything currently in the buffer
stty min 1 # Don't allow read to poll anymore
key=$(dd count=1 2> /dev/null) # do a single read(2) call
stty "$settings" # restore terminal settings
printf "%s" "$key"
}
# Get the F1 key sequence from termcap, fall back on Linux console
# TERM has to be set correctly for this to work.
f1=$(tput kf1) || f1=$'\033[[A'
while true
do
echo "Hit F1 to party, or any other key to continue"
key=$(readkey)
if [[ $key == "$f1" ]]
then
echo "Party!"
else
echo "Continuing..."
fi
done

Answer 2

Should be
while :
or
while true

Answer 3

Try this:
#!/bin/bash
while true
do
read -sn3 key
if [ "$key" = "$(tput kf1)" ]
then
./test1
else
./test2
fi
done
It is more robust to use tput to generate the control sequence, you can see a full list in man terminfo. If tput isn't available, you can use $'\eOP' for most terminal emulators or $'\e[[A' for the Linux console (the $ is necessary with the string to make bash interpret escape sequences).
read is a bash builtin command - try help read.