topic Re: read file data into a variable in Operating System - HP-UX

read file data into a variable

Kevin Medlin — Thu, 06 Mar 2003 19:27:52 GMT

Hi everyone,

I have a script that needs to read the date from a file and put it into a variable. The file only has one row and one column of data. For example,

> more date_file.dat
20030331

I'm trying to read date_file.dat and put it into var1. I only need to do this once so I don't need a loop or anything.

Thanks for the help.

Re: read file data into a variable

Pete Randall — Thu, 06 Mar 2003 19:33:19 GMT

export var1=`cat date_file.dat`

Pete

Re: read file data into a variable

Jose Mosquera — Thu, 06 Mar 2003 19:35:01 GMT

Hi,

If date_file.dat just have the date info:
VAR1=`cat date_file.dat`

Rgds.

Re: read file data into a variable

John Poff — Thu, 06 Mar 2003 19:35:42 GMT

Hi,

You can also do it this way:

VAR1=$(

JP

Re: read file data into a variable

curt larson_1 — Thu, 06 Mar 2003 19:36:35 GMT

var=$(

Re: read file data into a variable

Sridhar Bhaskarla — Thu, 06 Mar 2003 19:36:53 GMT

Hi

var1=$(cat data_file.dat)

However, if data_file.dat has multiple lines, then your commands have to deal with them.

-Sri

Re: read file data into a variable

Paul Sperry — Thu, 06 Mar 2003 19:37:00 GMT

#!/usr/bin/ksh
for var1 in `date_file.dat`
do
whatever comman you want to do with var1
done

Re: read file data into a variable

James R. Ferguson — Thu, 06 Mar 2003 19:39:08 GMT

Hi Kevin:

Do this:

VAR=`< data_file.dat`

...or:

VAR=$(< data_file.dat)

Regards!

...JRF...

Re: read file data into a variable

James R. Ferguson — Thu, 06 Mar 2003 21:23:38 GMT

Hi Eevin:

I think you will find the input redirection is faster than spawning 'cat' to read the file and capture the first line into your variable.

In fact, this is documented in the 'sh-posix' man pages:

/begin_quote/

The command substitution $(cat file) can be replaced by the equivalent but faster $(
/end_quote/

...while I am an animal lover, including mmembers of the feline species, I avoid cat's whenever possible! :-;

Regards!

...JRF...