Cut Command
Introduction#
In Bash, the cut command is useful for dividing a file into several smaller parts.
Syntax#
- cut [option] file
Parameters#
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
-b LIST, --bytes=LIST |
Print the bytes listed in the LIST parameter |
-c LIST, --characters=LIST |
Print characters in positions specified in LIST parameter |
-f LIST, --fields=LIST |
Print fields or columns |
-d DELIMITER |
Used to separate columns or fields |
| ## Show the first column of a file | |
| Suppose you have a file that looks like this |
John Smith 31
Robert Jones 27
...This file has 3 columns separated by spaces. To select only the first column, do the following.
cut -d ' ' -f1 filenameHere the -d flag, specifies the delimiter, or what separates the records. The -f flag specifies the field or column number. This will display the following output
John
Robert
...Show columns x to y of a file
Sometimes, it’s useful to display a range of columns in a file. Suppose you have this file
Apple California 2017 1.00 47
Mango Oregon 2015 2.30 33To select the first 3 columns do
cut -d ' ' -f1-3 filenameThis will display the following output
Apple California 2017
Mango Oregon 2015