cut - remove selected fields from each line of a file

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SYNOPSIS

cut -flist [ -dc ] [ -s ] [ filename ... ]

AVAILABILITY

This command is available with the System V software installation option. Refer to [a manual with the abbreviation INSTALL] for information on how to install optional software.

DESCRIPTION

Use cut to cut out columns from a table or fields from each line of a file; in data base parlance, it implements the projection of a relation. The fields as specified by list can be of fixed length, (such as on a punched card), or of variable length between lines. They can be marked with a field delimiter character, such as TAB (as specified with the -d option). cut can be used as a filter; if no files are given, the standard input is used. In addition, a file name of `-' explicitly refers to the standard input.

OPTIONS

-clist

By character position. list is a comma-separated list of integer field numbers (in increasing order), with an optional `-' to indicate ranges:

1,4,7

characters 1, 4 and 7

1-3,8

characters 1 through 3, and 8

-5,10

characters (1) through 5, and 10

3-

characters 3 through (last)

-flist

By field position. Instead of character positions, list specifies fields that are separated a delimiter (normally a TAB):

1,4,7

fields 1, 4 and 7

Lines with no field delimiters are normally passed through intact (to allow for subheadings).

-dc

Set the field delimiter to c. The default is a TAB. Characters with special meaning to the shell such as a TAB or SPACE characters, must be quoted.

-s

Suppress lines with no delimiter characters.

EXAMPLES

cut -d: -f1,5 /etc/passwd

Mapping of user IDs to names.

name=who am i | cut -f1 -d" "

Set name to the current login name.

SEE ALSO

DIAGNOSTICS

ERROR: line too long

A line can have no more than 1023 characters or fields.

ERROR: bad list for c/f option

Missing -c or -f option or incorrectly specified list. No error occurs if a line has fewer fields than the list calls for.

ERROR: no fields

The list is empty.

ERROR: no delimiter

Missing char on -d option.

ERROR: cannot handle multiple adjacent backspaces

Adjacent backspaces cannot be processed correctly.

WARNING: cannot open filename: reason

Either filename cannot be read or does not exist. If multiple filenames are present, processing continues.

WARNING: I/O error reading filename: reason

An I/O error occurred when reading filename. If multiple filenames are present, processing continues.

Created by unroff & hp-tools. © somebody (See intro for details). All Rights Reserved. Last modified 11/5/97