UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Hello All,

I'm applying for a new job in telecommunications and have been asked to learn unix and pearl scripting. I've got a copy of knoppix Linux 03. I at this point only know how to list files, create directories, change permissions. I was instructed to learn how to create files, basic navigation and some basic scripting. I've bought unix for dummies and 1/3 of the way through it now. I don't see anything yet about creating files... which i'm assuming is only done in vi... I would like to accomplish the following:
create a directory called Nortel
create a file called plmn_list
have the file look like this
npa nxx trkgrp carrier
505 440 1 sprint
808 255 3 mci
602 256 2 att
425 444 1 sprint

then the script I would like to write would ask me to enter a npa nxx and based on what I type tell me which carrier it's going through via looking up the table/file I created called plmn_lst.

I would also like a script that asks which carrier I want to look up and it display or output to another file all the npa nxx that are listed for that carrier.

Can anyone help?

Thank you!!

About creating files... when a file is opened, it will (generally) be created if it does not exist.

Code:

echo hello
echo hello > datafile

The first line will display "hello" on the screen. The second line sends "hello" into a file call datafile. If datafile pre-existed, whatever data used to be in it is lost. And if datafile did not exist, well it does now.

thanks Perderabo, this will help me! As for creating a file like the one I wanted. example would be using excel in windows. is that something done in vi? If so, how do you seperate fields? would I use the pipe? if so what seperates a column heading from the column data? Once again any info is greatly appreciated!

vi is an editor and it has nothing to do with excel. If you want a spreadsheet program, get one and follow the instructions that come with it. If you want to use vi, then do that. You managed to put the data in your first post without stumbling over separating fields or the header line.