[awk] print from field n to field x


 
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# 1  
Old 09-24-2009
[awk] print from field n to field x

Hi,

I'm trying to print every line from first field to the fourth from a file containing more.

Code:
$ cat input
a b c d e f g
a b c d e f g

I'm trying
Code:
awk '{for (i=1; i <= NF-3; i++) print $i}' awkTest.dat

but it prints
Code:
a
b
c
d
a
b
c
d

So, I easily guess I'm wrong. Smilie
Of course, I want:
Code:
a b c d
a b c d

How should I do?

TIA
# 2  
Old 09-24-2009
Code:
awk '{for (i=1; i <= 4; i++) printf("%s%c" $i, (i==4)?ORS:OFS)}' awkTest.dat

# 3  
Old 09-24-2009
Hi vgersh99,

I'm sorry, although all seem to have to work, it doesn't.
If I let it as it is, I get:
Code:
awk '{for (i=1; i <= 4; i++) printf("%s%c" $i, (i==4)?ORS:OFS)}' awkTest.dat
awk: (FILENAME=awkTest.dat FNR=1) fatal: not enough arguments to satisfy format string
    `%s%ca'
       ^ ran out for this one

If I only use 'string' or 'ascii', here's what I get, for example, with %c (it's the same with %s):
Code:
awk '{for (i=1; i <= 4; i++) printf("%c" $i, (i==4)?ORS:OFS)}' awkTest.dat
 a b c
d a b c
d

fyi
Code:
awk --version
GNU Awk 3.1.5
Copyright © 1998, 1991-2005 Free Software Foundation, Inc.


Last edited by daPeach; 09-24-2009 at 08:16 PM..
# 4  
Old 09-25-2009
Hi Dapech,
please try with this code i just modified a little vgresh code:

Code:
awk '{for (i=1; i <= 4; i++) printf($i"%c" , (i==4)?ORS:OFS)}' awkTest.dat


and it gives the output

a b c d
a b c d


enjoy my friend

regards,
Sanjay
# 5  
Old 09-25-2009
sorry, I missed a ','
Code:
awk '{for (i=1; i <= 4; i++) printf("%s%c", $i, (i==4)?ORS:OFS)}' awkTest.dat

# 6  
Old 09-25-2009
MySQL [solved]: [awk] print from field n to field x

Hi vgersh99,

Such a little thing can have such a great effect...

The slight differences between your line and Sanjay's, are not yet understood, but I think I'll get it.

I thank you very much.


thanks to Sanjay too.
 
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