Grep for a negative number

kzmatam · #1 (**permalink**) 01-02-2009

Hi,

I want to search for a return code of -3. Using grep "-3" *.* is giving a syntax error. Please suggest as to how can we search for this pattern using grep.

Thanks,
Krishna

pludi · #2 (**permalink**) 01-02-2009

grep thinks the '-' starts an option and tries to interpret it. Try escaping it, eg. grep '\-3' *.*

Panos1962 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-02-2009

Try -- to sign end of options. This is a general rule for such problems, e.g.
To grep -3 try:

grep -- -3 ...

If yoy want to remove a file named -panos you give:

rm -- -panos

etc.

This fact is true due to getopt function. This function is used by system programers
who write tools like grep, rm etc. The function marks end of option with a double dash
(--), so the behavior is similar for all tools using getopt to process options.

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