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Replacing multiple spaces in flat file

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# 15  
Old 07-02-2014
Yes, with perl.
Perl not only has -i but also has a "look-ahead" feature in its regexp, so we can use the /g modifier:
Code:
perl -i -pe 's/;\s+(?=;)/;/g' inputfile

---------- Post updated at 02:19 PM ---------- Previous update was at 01:11 PM ----------

Just seeing it does not empty the first and last fields.
The most comprehensive and correct expression seems to be
Code:
perl -i -lpe 's/(^|;)\s+((?=;)|$)/$1/g' inputfile

Last edited by MadeInGermany; 07-02-2014 at 04:29 PM.. Reason: $2 has no effect - removed
This User Gave Thanks to MadeInGermany For This Post:
S. BASU
# 16  
Old 07-03-2014
Quote:
Originally Posted by MadeInGermany
Yes, with perl.
Perl not only has -i but also has a "look-ahead" feature in its regexp, so we can use the /g modifier:
Code:
perl -i -pe 's/;\s+(?=;)/;/g' inputfile

---------- Post updated at 02:19 PM ---------- Previous update was at 01:11 PM ----------

Just seeing it does not empty the first and last fields.
The most comprehensive and correct expression seems to be
Code:
perl -i -lpe 's/(^|;)\s+((?=;)|$)/$1/g' inputfile

Again... works like a charm.. Thanks a lot
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