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How to put content of file into a variable?

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# 1  
Old 10-13-2010
How to put content of file into a variable?
For example, I have a simple text file
Code:
note:
this a note
a simple note
a very very simple note

when I use this command,
Code:
temp=$(cat "note.txt")

then I echo temp, the result is in one line.
Code:
echo $temp
note: this a note a simple note a very very simple note

My variable doesn't have newline.
How to make the newline still exist?
And when I echo my variable, it shows same exact form of content.
thanks
# 2  
Old 10-13-2010
Code:
# cat file
note:
this a note
a simple note
a very very simple note
# var=$(<file)
# echo "$var"
note:
this a note
a simple note
a very very simple note

This User Gave Thanks to danmero For This Post:
14th
# 3  
Old 10-13-2010
Quote:
Originally Posted by danmero
Code:
# cat file
note:
this a note
a simple note
a very very simple note
# var=$(<file)
# echo "$var"
note:
this a note
a simple note
a very very simple note

I don't know it will be as simple as that, because I'm new to bash and I only know cat.
Thanks.Smilie
# 4  
Old 10-13-2010
They are there, but doing echo $var instead of echo "$var" has the side-effect of flattening out all whitespace.

What are you attempting by putting an entire file in a variable? There's probably better and safer ways to do what you want. Many shells have a variable size limit, so this is only guaranteed to work when the file is tiny...
Last edited by Corona688; 10-13-2010 at 12:46 PM..
This User Gave Thanks to Corona688 For This Post:
14th
# 5  
Old 10-13-2010
Quote:
Originally Posted by 14th
because I'm new to bash and I only know cat.
Be welcome, you should take Useless Use of Cat Award first.
This User Gave Thanks to danmero For This Post:
14th
# 6  
Old 10-13-2010
Quote:
Originally Posted by Corona688
They are there, but doing echo $var instead of echo "$var" has the side-effect of flattening out all whitespace.

What are you attempting by putting an entire fire in a variable? There's probably better and safer ways to do what you want. Many shells have a variable size limit, so this is only guaranteed to work when the file is tiny...
yes, the file's size is small.
It's only contain less then 10 lines, and only have a few words each line.
thanks
# 7  
Old 10-13-2010
Yes, but what are you attempting by putting an entire file in a variable? There's probably better and safer ways to do what you want. As you've already discovered, it can have unintended side-effects.
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