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read a string from its end to its start and stop when you find a specific character

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# 1  
Old 08-31-2010
Question read a string from its end to its start and stop when you find a specific character
How can I do this? Actually I have a file which contains a path
e.g.
/home/john/Music/hello.mp3
and I want to take only the filename (hello.mp3) So, I need to read the file from its end to its start till the character "/"
Is this possible?
Thanks, I am sure you'll not disappoint me here!
Oh, yes, you are the best!Smilie
# 2  
Old 08-31-2010
basename
Code:
basename /home/john/Music/hello.mp3

# 3  
Old 08-31-2010
THIS WAS FAAAAAAAAAAAAST
# 4  
Old 08-31-2010
Assuming your file contains only one path:
Code:
basename $(cat file)

# 5  
Old 08-31-2010
The fact that I am 3 years now to Unix and there are sooo many unknows commands to me is hilarious.
# 6  
Old 08-31-2010
Using Parameter Substitution
a='/home/john/Music/hello.mp3'; echo ${a##*/}

much faster than calling the external command basename

in general

{text#pattern} removes the shortest match of pattern from the front of text
{text##pattern} removes the longest match of pattern from the front of text
{text%pattern} removes the shortest match of pattern from the back of text
{text%%pattern} removes the longest match of pattern from the back of text

Mike
Last edited by Michael Stora; 08-31-2010 at 06:30 PM.. Reason: / does not need escaping like \ does
# 7  
Old 08-31-2010
Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Stora
a='/home/john/Music/hello.mp3'; echo ${a##*//}

much faster than calling the external command basename

in general

{text#pattern} removes the shortest match of pattern from the front of text
{text##pattern} removes the longest match of pattern from the front of text
{text%pattern} removes the shortest match of pattern from the back of text
{text%%pattern} removes the longest match of pattern from the back of text

Mike
But 90% of people will have no idea what this thing does, while seeing "basename /some/path" you can at least guess. And when you want to be sure you just do "man basename" and everything is clear. Don't obfuscate when it is not nessesary...
This User Gave Thanks to bartus11 For This Post:
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