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File deliminated with | character - How do I change 1 value

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# 1  
Old 12-05-2009
File deliminated with | character - How do I change 1 value
Hi All, I'm struggling with a problem.

Data file example:

Brown|32 inches|apple|monkey
Green|12 feet|grape|cat
Blue|32 inches|banana|dog
Black|23 inches|pear|horse

I need to change the value '32 inches' in the third line, and only the third line, while keeping the rest of the file the same.

I can isolate the attribute needing attention, but I can not figure out a way to make the change.

Here is what I have (and isn't working)
Code:
sed -n "/$user_input/p" myfile.txt | awk -F"|" '{print $5}' | sed "s/$old/$new/g" -i myfile.txt

However, that code replaces all instances of $old within the file.

Any and all help would be appreciated.

Thanks
# 2  
Old 12-05-2009
hello.
if you have to change only one value in only one line. then why dont you fire up a vi/vim/nano editor and do it manually.
no issues.
# 3  
Old 12-05-2009
Quote:
Originally Posted by gaurav1086
hello.
if you have to change only one value in only one line. then why dont you fire up a vi/vim/nano editor and do it manually.
no issues.
Haha... if only it were that easy.

It's being used in a script, so the user's input will determine the new value.

Thanks though.
# 4  
Old 12-05-2009
Code:
$
$ cat -n f3
     1  Brown|32 inches|apple|monkey
     2  Green|12 feet|grape|cat
     3  Blue|32 inches|banana|dog
     4  Black|23 inches|pear|horse
$
$
$ old_value="32 inches"
$ new_value="FIGHT_CLUB"
$ line_num=3
$
$ perl -i.bak -pe "$.==$line_num && s/$old_value/$new_value/" f3
$
$ cat -n f3
     1  Brown|32 inches|apple|monkey
     2  Green|12 feet|grape|cat
     3  Blue|FIGHT_CLUB|banana|dog
     4  Black|23 inches|pear|horse
$
$

tyler_durden
# 5  
Old 12-05-2009
hi..
the way you phrased your problem sounded like the one I observed. Anyways the simple solution to your problem is remove the 'g' switch from the sed one-liner and I'm sure it would work fine.
So it goes like this.
sed -n "/$user_input/p" myfile.txt | awk -F"|" '{print $5}' | sed "s/$old/$new/" -i myfile.txt
though I must say . its a horrible way to write a one liner sed->awk->sed... wow awesome...
anyways.. good luck.. Smilie
# 6  
Old 12-05-2009
This works:
Code:
$ cat sed.dat
Brown|32 inches|apple|monkey
Green|12 feet|grape|cat
Blue|32 inches|banana|dog
Black|23 inches|pear|horse

Code:
$ sed '3s/32 inches/new user value/' sed.dat
Brown|32 inches|apple|monkey
Green|12 feet|grape|cat
Blue|new user value|banana|dog
Black|23 inches|pear|horse

# 7  
Old 12-05-2009
Code:
$
$ awk -v LNUM=3 -v OLD="32 inches" -v NEW="NEW VALUE" '{NR==LNUM && sub(OLD,NEW,$0); print}' f3
Brown|32 inches|apple|monkey
Green|12 feet|grape|cat
Blue|NEW VALUE|banana|dog
Black|23 inches|pear|horse
$

tyler_durden
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