How to read a line when it starts with spaces - Shell Programming and Scripting

PrakashChinna · #1 07-03-2006

Hi ,
I use read command to get the input text, When i try to get the line starting with spaces or ending with spaces it automatically truncates the spaces and displays the remaining content.

Code i tried (UserInput.sh):

#!/bin/bash
echo -n "Enter some text > "
read text
echo "You entered: $text"

When i give this as input " Hello How "

It displays "You entered: Hello How" , It has truncated the spaces. Is there any way to get Input along with spaces ?

Thank U,
Prakash C.

jim mcnamara · #2 07-03-2006

Code:

#!/bin/ksh
print "Enter something"
IFS=
read var
IFS=" "
print "$var"

Hitori · #3 07-03-2006

look at Bash Reference Manual: Word Splitting

This approach (i.e.
IFS=
) will work in bash too

PrakashChinna · #4 07-03-2006

It has worked for me.

Thanks,

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