[nv-l] searching character string in a variable

["D'Apice, Dominic" <D.D'Apice@SAQ.qc.ca>]

Hello all, nv7.1 aix433

i need to do a ksh script who seach a string character in a variable

what is the sentence for that ? i mean like  :

 grep "rule 11" $alert...

i would like to do something like that :

if  ( grep "rule 11" $alert ) = 1 then  # if we found this string then do
instructions
  # instructions
end if

but the variable does'nt work like a file :  grep "rule 11" script.sh

it will be apreciated 
> Dominic D'Apice
> Technicien informatique (OGEINF)
> Société des Alcools du Québec
> 2021 des futailles, Montréal Québec H1N 3M7
> * (514) 253-6015
> * D.D'Apice@saq.qc.ca
> 
>