Can't figure out how to find specific characters in specific columns


 
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# 1  
Old 11-20-2012
Can't figure out how to find specific characters in specific columns

I am trying to find a specific set of characters in a long file. I only want to find the characters in column 265 for 4 bytes.

Is there a search for that? I tried cut but couldn't get it to work.

Ex. I want to find '9999' in column 265 for 4 bytes. If it is in there, I want it to print out the whole line.

Thanks for any advice.
# 2  
Old 11-20-2012
Try:

Code:
awk -v W="9999" 'substr($0,265,4)==W' infile

# 3  
Old 11-20-2012
Thanks! I'll give that a shot.
# 4  
Old 11-21-2012
Try like..
Code:
awk '{if($265=="9999") {print $0}}' test.txt

# 5  
Old 11-21-2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by bmk
Try like..
Code:
awk '{if($265=="9999") {print $0}}' test.txt

The OP has mentioned that he/she needs to check the 4 characters in a line/record starting at the 265th column. 265th column will never be the 265th field for awk (in case of splitting on white-space(spaces and/or tabs)).
# 6  
Old 11-21-2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by elixir_sinari
The OP has mentioned that he/she needs to check the 4 characters in a line/record starting at the 265th column. 265th column will never be the 265th field for awk (in case of splitting on white-space(spaces and/or tabs)).
Correct. But there may be non POSIX compatible extensions, like in e.g. mawk,
Quote:
If FS = "", then mawk breaks the record into individual characters,
Still you would need to phrase the condition like $265$266$267$268=="9999". Might be worth a shot.
# 7  
Old 11-21-2012
Quote:
Originally Posted by RudiC
Correct. But there may be non POSIX compatible extensions, like in e.g. mawk, Still you would need to phrase the condition like $265$266$267$268=="9999". Might be worth a shot.
I think this FS="" also not supported by all extensions.
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