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format values in a text file using cat command

 
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Top Forums UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers format values in a text file using cat command
# 1  
Old 08-30-2011
format values in a text file using cat command
Hello...

Is it possible that we can change the format of the values we entered in a text file using cat?

Like for example, I will create a text file names.txt using cat and as I save the names and view the text file... the format will be like this

Image


but here in my code....

Code:
echo "Enter First Name: "
read firstname
echo $firstname | cat >> names.txt

echo "Enter Last Name: "
read lastname
echo $lastname | cat >> names.txt

It would make this output in the notepad...

Image

I hope someone can help me regarding this....

Thank you so much ^_^

Moderator's Comments:
Mod Comment Please use code tags, thanks.
Last edited by kpopfreakghecky; 08-30-2011 at 04:17 AM.. Reason: code tags
# 2  
Old 08-30-2011
Prize for the most pointless use of cat is winging its way to you Smilie
Code:
echo -e "$firstname\t" >>names.txt
...
echo -e "$lastname\n" >>names.txt

# 3  
Old 08-30-2011
1. You don't need "cat" command:
Code:
echo "$firstname " >> names.txt

2. Your cygwin commands output text in unix format - with just '\n' char at the end of lines, but notepad wants text in dos format - with '\r\n". You can install 'notepad++', it understands unix format. Or you can convert the text with a lot of ways - see How do I convert between Unix and Windows text files? - Knowledge Base.
# 4  
Old 08-30-2011
Thanks for that but.....
Thanks for that ^_^
nyaa... I'm just a newbie here.. XD

anyway... I tried the code you've suggested but it gives me this kind of output in the notepad


Image


I want to have an output similar to this photo below


Image


I really appreciate that you've replied on my thread ^^ God bless you Smilie)

---------- Post updated at 03:08 AM ---------- Previous update was at 02:27 AM ----------

I tried notepad++

with the following codes

Code:
echo "Enter First Name: "
read firstname
echo -e "$firstname\t" >> names.txt

echo "Enter Last Name: "
read lastname
echo -e "$lastname\n" >> names.txt

but then it gives me this output in the notepad++

Image

I want that the output in the notepad++ will be like the picture below

Image

How can that be possible?

Hoping for your help guys .... Thank you so much Smilie
# 5  
Old 08-30-2011
You can use
Code:
echo "Enter First Name: "
read firstname
echo -ne "$firstname\t" >> names.txt

echo "Enter Last Name: "
read lastname
echo  "$lastname" >> names.txt

Or (better):
Code:
echo "Enter First Name: "
read firstname
printf "$firstname\t" >> names.txt

echo "Enter Last Name: "
read lastname
echo "$lastname" >> names.txt

# 6  
Old 08-30-2011
Hammer & Screwdriver THANK A LOT YUZU!!!! :*
weeeee!!!!! Thank you sooo much Yuzu ... It really worked well Smilie
That gave me the desired output I wanted .. Smilie
Thank you soo much for helping me with this ^^
God bless you Smilie)
 
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