What is the correct statement to be used for comparison in a Linux shell script?

The statement "if [ $x -gt $y ]" is the correct way to perform a comparison in a Linux shell script. This format utilizes the test command within brackets, which is a standard way to evaluate conditional expressions in shell scripting. The brackets delineate the condition being evaluated, and within those brackets, the comparison operator "-gt" is used to check if the value of variable $x is greater than the value of variable $y.

The use of square brackets is essential in this context because it signals to the shell that a conditional expression is being evaluated. This syntax is recognizable and understood by the shell, allowing it to execute the subsequent commands based on the result of the comparison.

The other forms presented do not conform to the syntax rules of shell scripting. For instance, option B lacks the brackets entirely, which results in ambiguity, as the shell expects a proper conditional structure. Option C uses parentheses, which are not employed in this context for condition checks, and thus does not conform to the language standards. Lastly, option D employs curly braces, which are typically used for variable expansion and not for control structures like if statements.

Thus, using "if [ $x -gt $y ]" is the correct method for performing numerical comparisons