Search for string in a file and extract another string to a variable


 
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# 1  
Old 03-18-2009
Search for string in a file and extract another string to a variable

Hi, guys. I have one question:

I need to search for a string in a file, and then extract another string from the file and assign it to a variable.

For example:

the contents of the file (group) is below:
...
ftp:x:23:
mail:x:34
...
testing:x:2001
sales:x:2002
development:x:2003
...

I want to search for string "testing", then extract group id (2001) on the same line and assign it to a variable.

Can anybody help me with me question?

Thank you very much for your time in advance

-K.D
# 2  
Old 03-18-2009
Found the answer.
# 3  
Old 03-19-2009
Please include your solution in the future to help others out...

FYI... the following should work. Note that the -F parameter is to specify a field separator, in this case, ":".

In a Bourne shell
Code:
MYVAR=`awk -F: '/testing/ { print $3 }' filename`
export MYVAR

# 4  
Old 03-19-2009
Quote:
Originally Posted by wabard
Please include your solution in the future to help others out...

FYI... the following should work. Note that the -F parameter is to specify a field separator, in this case, ":".

In a Bourne shell
Code:
MYVAR=`awk -F: '/testing/ { print $3 }' filename`
export MYVAR

why do you need to export?
Most likely the OPs meant this:
Code:
MYVAR=`awk -F: '$1 == "testing" { print $3;exit}' filename`

# 5  
Old 03-20-2009
Hi, guys. Thanks for replying.

And I will add answer next. Apologize for thatSmilie
# 6  
Old 03-20-2009
Exactly, It work!
# 7  
Old 03-20-2009
Error

Quote:
Originally Posted by vgersh99
why do you need to export?
Most likely the OPs meant this:
Code:
MYVAR=`awk -F: '$1 == "testing" { print $3;exit}' filename`


Meh... I'm too old school.. I always export for completeness... not necessary in this case, since all variables are internal to the script itself...


Good catch and good point.
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