Search code examples
bashunixcut

Splitting a text in Unix

I am writing a simple script that splits a variable that holds some text by using below code:

#!/bin/sh

SAMPLE_TEXT=hello.world.testing

echo $SAMPLE_TEXT
OUT_VALUE=$SAMPLE_TEXT | cut -d'.' -f1

echo output is $OUT_VALUE

I am expecting output as output is hello but when I run this program then I am getting output as output is. Please let me know where I am doing mistake?

Solution

  • To evaluate a command and store it into a variable, use var=$(command).

    All together, your code works like this:

    SAMPLE_TEXT="hello.world.testing"

echo "$SAMPLE_TEXT"
OUT_VALUE=$(echo "$SAMPLE_TEXT" | cut -d'.' -f1)
# OUT_VALUE=$(cut -d'.' -f1 <<< "$SAMPLE_TEXT") <--- alternatively

echo "output is $OUT_VALUE"

    Also, note I am adding quotes all around. It is a good practice that will help you in general.

    Other approaches:

    $ sed -r 's/([^\.]*).*/\1/g' <<< "$SAMPLE_TEXT"
hello

$ awk -F. '{print $1}' <<< "$SAMPLE_TEXT"
hello

$ echo "${SAMPLE_TEXT%%.*}"
hello