UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Hi All,

I am trying to extract substring from a variable by using the pattern as var3=${var2:3:3}

var2 is a variable already declared and having the value. From var2 i need to extract 3 characters from 3rd position.

When ever i give the expression var3=${var2:3:3} on shell prompt, the shell is giving the ERROR as
KSH: : BAD SUBSTITUTION.

Please help me to resolve this?

Thanks,
RaamC.

You can do this way:

Code:

 
# echo "Shubhendu" | awk '{print substr( $0, 3, 3 )}'
bhe
#

I think that the ${var2:3:3} syntax is bash only (?). Perhaps try expr substr, but there are differences...

Code:

$ var2=qwertyuiop

$ var3=${var2:3:3}

$ echo $var3
rty

$ var3=$(expr substr "$var2" 3 3)

$ echo $var3
ert

var=pritish
var2=$(echo $var1|cut -c 3,4,5)
echo $var2---> iti