HELP! I have to write a basic UNIX shell that will read in a file, and print out the number of words in the file. I need to create a system that will take a file and output information to standard out (the screen) about the number of words in a file. A word is defined as characters delineated by standard white spaces. I have to have a "driving" shell script named worfo and will use system commands and utilities. Also, my system has to do the following extra's:

Accept the option -n, meaning to use all non-alpha characters to delimit words

Accept the option -u, meaning to only count unique words

I am having problems starting out on how to do this! Any advice and help is GREATLY appreciated!

HELP! I have to write a basic UNIX shell that will read in a file, and print out the number of words in the file. I need to create a system that will take a file and output information to standard out (the screen) about the number of words in a file. A word is defined as characters delineated by standard white spaces. I have to have a "driving" shell script named worfo and will use system commands and utilities. Also, my system has to do the following extra's:

Accept the option -n, meaning to use all non-alpha characters to delimit words

Accept the option -u, meaning to only count unique words

I am having problems starting out on how to do this! Any advice and help is GREATLY appreciated!

to sum it up - read file, word count, read input, make case loop....I mean, the whole soultion is here in the forum. You only have to search. first try then ask.....

This sounds like a mid-level college CS course assignment.
We don't give homework answers, but the the source code for 6494 different shells is at:

http://freshmeat.net/browse/164/

Yes, this is a college assignment, and I'm not looking for actual code. Just how to go about starting it off because I have NO idea!

check out the utility wc. And thats all the help you get.

This smells a lot like homework...