UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Hi,

I am looking for a simple command to select text within a open bracket "("
and a matching close bracket ")" and output the within-bracket-text to a file.
This function is similar to the common vi select a range of text with "(" to ")"
but not sure how to run the same function in command line.

Here's the input file :

statement statement statement
statement statement statement
statement statement statement

Today( "here"

MONDAY = map( "monday")
TUESDAY = map( "tuesday" )

WESNESDAY = map( "wednesday" )
THURSDAY = map( "thursday" )
FRIDAY = map( "friday" )

SATURDAY = map( "saturday" )
SUNDAY = map( "sunday" )

);

statement statement statement
statement statement statement
statement statement statement

Output file :
--------------

Today( "here"

MONDAY = layer( "monday" )
TUESDAY = layer( "tuesday" )

WESNESDAY = layer( "wednesday" )
THURSDAY = layer( "thursday" )
FRIDAY = layer( "friday" )

SATURDAY = pinText( "saturday" )
SUNDAY = pinText( "sunday" )

);


Thanks in advance,
cursive

Code:

sed -n "/^[^)]*([^)]*$/,/^[^(]*)[^(]*/p" file

Hi,

Abou the code : sed -n "/^[^)]*([^)]*$/,/^[^(]*)[^(]*/p" file
the system prompt error message, "Illegal variable name"

I am not sure whether I missing something here, could someone
show me the right path ?

Thanks in advance,
cursive

Try using single quotes

Code:

$ cat file
statement statement statement
statement statement statement
statement statement statement

Today( "here"

MONDAY = map( "monday")
TUESDAY = map( "tuesday" )

WESNESDAY = map( "wednesday" )
THURSDAY = map( "thursday" )
FRIDAY = map( "friday" )

SATURDAY = map( "saturday" )
SUNDAY = map( "sunday" )

);

statement statement statement
statement statement statement
statement statement statement
$ sed -n '/^[^)]*([^)]*$/,/^[^(]*)[^(]*/p' file
Today( "here"

MONDAY = map( "monday")
TUESDAY = map( "tuesday" )

WESNESDAY = map( "wednesday" )
THURSDAY = map( "thursday" )
FRIDAY = map( "friday" )

SATURDAY = map( "saturday" )
SUNDAY = map( "sunday" )

);

Hi Anbu23,

A small tweak in the command is finally working well.
I really apperciated for all your help.

Thanks,
cursive