How to search word and get the line above it.

Jeevan Salunke · #1 (**permalink**) 09-19-2008

Hey all,

Could any one help me ...

I want to search the word and want the line above it.

eg. mytxt.log

My name is Jeevan.
240 is my address.

My name is Jhon.
390 is my address.
--------
i want to search "240" and want output as

My name is Jeevan.
240 is my address.

Meance i want both the line.

Please suggest some solution.

zaxxon · #2 (**permalink**) 09-19-2008

Code:

grep -B1 240 infile

Jeevan Salunke · #3 (**permalink**) 09-19-2008

Its not working

i have typed

grep -b1 PRICE temp.log

also tried

grep -B1 "PRICE" temp.log

it gives me following error...

grep: illegal option -- 1
Usage: grep -hblcnsviw pattern file . . .

era · #4 (**permalink**) 09-19-2008

Not all grep versions have the -B option. Try with awk or sed instead.

Code:

sed -n '/240/{x;p;x;p;b;};h' file

If that doesn't work for you either, search the forums for "context grep".

summer_cherry · #5 (**permalink**) 09-19-2008

Code:

awk '{
if($0 !~/^240/) 
t=$0
if($0 ~/^240/)
{
	print t
	print $0
}
}' filename

era · #6 (**permalink**) 09-19-2008

Or perhaps more idiomatically

Code:

awk '/240/ { print t; print $0; next } { t = $0 }' filename

Jeevan Salunke · #7 (**permalink**) 09-20-2008

Wow...
Its working.
Thanks a lot for this.
one quick question how to save output of this awk in a variable.

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