Unix code to fetch the first field till space in a variable

autosys_nm · #1 (**permalink**) 08-27-2008

Hi,

I want to get the value of the first field till space in a variable.

e.g x=323 /test/personel/logs/File1 [After 3 space is there]

I want to get the first field till space i.e 323 in another variable ,lets say y.

echo $x|cut -d' ' -f1 gives 323
but when I'm trying y=`echo $x|cut -d' ' -f1 its giving error.

Please help.

yongitz · #2 (**permalink**) 08-27-2008

Hi! to be sure, since your value has a space in between them, enclosed them with a double quotes, like this:

Code:

x="323 /test/personel/logs/File1"

In your command substitution(using backticks), I don't know if it's a typo or what? But it should be written as this,

Code:

y=`echo $x|cut -d' ' -f1`

vidyadhar85 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-27-2008

y=`echo $x|awk '{print $1}'`

era · #4 (**permalink**) 08-27-2008

It's both safer and more efficient to use the shell's built-in variable substitution syntax.

Code:

y=${x% *}

To be sure, echo $x without double-quoting the variable name $x will wreck the whitespace in the variable's value.

More UNIX and Linux Forum Topics You Might Find Helpful
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
fetch substring from html code	scarfake	Shell Programming and Scripting	2	05-29-2008 09:55 PM
How to fetch data from a text file in Unix	shikhakaul	Shell Programming and Scripting	4	01-25-2008 11:20 AM
How To Fetch Time From Putside Source On Unix Platform?	pesty	UNIX for Advanced & Expert Users	2	05-11-2007 07:06 AM
Fetch the field from file and add to new file.	maestrohero	Shell Programming and Scripting	2	04-18-2007 09:00 PM
field delimiter with a space or more	uphamtn	UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers	3	05-15-2003 04:22 PM

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:


	Powered by