UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Hi,

A basic query. In the example file below, I want to sort by column 1 and then by column 2 numerically. I have tried sort -k2n,1 file1 but while this sorts the columns in the correct order, it does not sort column 2 numerically. Any help would be much appreciated. Also, if you have time to jot a few notes on how the command works, that would be great too!

Thank you


example file1:
Chr1, 10, A
Chr1, 1, C
Chr2, 2, G
Chr1, 2, T
Chr2, 10, C

output request:
Chr1, 1, C
Chr1, 2, T
Chr1, 10, A
Chr2, 2, G
Chr2, 10, C

Try:

Code:

sort -k1,1 -k2,2n

Thank you, very helpful!

you have to specify the delimiter also using 't' option

sort -t',' -k1,1 -k2,2n filename

Thanks,
Penchal