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UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

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# 1  
Old 03-04-2008
Simple Question
Hi Guys,
I've been learning UNIX for the past couple of days and I came across this exercise, I can't get my head around it, so I would be ever so grateful if I could receive some sort of help or direction with this.

Create a file with x amount of lines in it, the content of your choice.
Write a script named 'firstline' that takes two arguments. The first being a line of text, the second being your newly created file. The script should take the first argument and insert it into the very top (the first line) of the file named in your second argument.
Take a copy (backup) and amend the above script so that it now inserts the first argument into the middle of the file.

The problem I have is that I dont know how to edit a text using shell scripts.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks,
aforball
# 2  
Old 03-04-2008
You can use ex or sed among other things. This kinda seems like homework.
# 3  
Old 03-04-2008
I agree it looks very homework...
If you need help start by giving us the work you have done, and explain what isnt working...
>The problem I have is that I dont know how to edit a text using shell scripts.
there is no need of shell scripts yet...
What can be used to display files in unix? (that was the first question you should be able to answer!)
well : cat, more, pg-page, head tail, od...
# 4  
Old 03-04-2008
Quote:
Originally Posted by aforball
Hi Guys,
I've been learning UNIX for the past couple of days and I came across this exercise, I can't get my head around it, so I would be ever so grateful if I could receive some sort of help or direction with this.

Create a file with x amount of lines in it, the content of your choice.
Write a script named 'firstline' that takes two arguments. The first being a line of text, the second being your newly created file. The script should take the first argument and insert it into the very top (the first line) of the file named in your second argument.
Take a copy (backup) and amend the above script so that it now inserts the first argument into the middle of the file.

The problem I have is that I dont know how to edit a text using shell scripts.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks,
aforball
Learn how to use visual editor or vi. It would surely help you a lot in editing text in shell scripting.
 
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