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

daikeyang · #1 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009

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

daikeyang · #2 (**permalink**) 03-18-2009

Found the answer.

wabard · #3 (**permalink**) 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

vgersh99 · #4 (**permalink**) 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`

daikeyang · #5 (**permalink**) 03-20-2009

Hi, guys. Thanks for replying.

And I will add answer next. Apologize for that

wabard · #6 (**permalink**) 03-20-2009

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.

jroco · #7 (**permalink**) 03-20-2009

Exactly, It work!

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