Shell Programming and Scripting

I want to built a generic code to remove columns from file. Column number will be passed at run time.I may have multiple number like 2,5,10 so Can you please help.

I know how to remove when we know column number but I want a generic code where column number will be passed at run time.

Example:

Code:

cat test1
1,Amit
2,Ajay
3,AJ
 
cat > test2
11,aa,22,ss
12,ss,23,ff

Delete 2nd column from test1 then out put should be:

Code:

1
2
3

Delete 2nd and 4th column from test2 then out put should be

Code:

11,22
12,23

the above should be done with same code

Thanks in advance.

You don't need a script for that, can do it using cut command

Code:

cut -d',' -f1 test1
cut -d',' -f1,3 test2

Thanks sam05121988 for replying.

But as I mentioned above I need generic solution which can be used for both input file as I can pass any column number to delete from file.

I hope I am clear with requirement.

Is this a homework assignment?

What operating system and shell are you using?

What have you tried to solve this problem? Where are you stuck?

I just use cut command or awk to print the columns as mentioned by sam05121988 but I just thought of making it generic so that it should work for any file just we need to pass column number which we need to drop. so I do not have idea on how to make it generic thats why I have posted here as experts are here.

I am using Unix as OS.

Please answer Don Cragun's other questions as well.

What exactly do you mean by "make it generic"? Wouldn't e.g. cut with expanded shell variables be generic enough?

Already given answer of Don Cragun's questions.

Make it generic means same code should work for any file where as file structure may differ and column number which need to drop may differ.