cut(1)
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cut Command
cut out selected fields of each line of a file
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SYNTAX
cut -clist [file1 file2 ...]
cut -flist [-dchar] [-s] [file1 file2 ...]
DESCRIPTION
Use cut to cut out columns from a table or fields from each line
of a file. In database parlance, cut implements the projection of
a relation. The fields as specified by list can be fixed length,
i.e., character positions as on a punched card (-c option) or the
length can vary from line to line and be marked with a field
delimiter character like tab (-f option). Either the -c or -f
option must be specified. Cut can be used as a filter; if no
files are given, the standard input is used.
Options are:
list A comma-separated list of integer field numbers (in
increasing order), with optional - to indicate page
ranges, e.g., 1,4,7; 1-3,8; -5,10 (short for 1-5,10); or
3- (short for third through last field).
-clist The list following -c (no space) specifies character
positions (e.g., -c1-72 would pass the first 72
characters of each line).
-flist The list following -f is a list of fields assumed to be
separated in the file by a delimiter character (see -d
); e.g., -f1,7 copies the first and seventh field only.
Lines with no field delimiters will be passed through
intact (useful for table subheadings), unless -s is
specified.
-dchar The character following -d is the field delimiter (-f
option only). Default is tab. Space or other
characters with special meaning to the shell must be
quoted.
-s Suppresses lines with no delimiter characters in case of
-f option. Unless specified, lines with no delimiters
will be passed through untouched.
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cut(1)
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EXAMPLES
$ who | cut -c1-11
nespole
hoopes
wadsworth
carpenter
simmons
degeorge
parnagian
eydenberg
rosenberger
Usually, the who command gives username, tty number, and date and
time that the user logged on the system. This information can be
piped through the cut command, and the result is a list of users
currently on the system.
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HINTS
Use grep(1) to make horizontal ``cuts'' (by context) through a
file, or paste(1) to put files together horizontally. To reorder
columns in a table, use cut and paste.
EXAMPLES
cut -d: -f1,5 /etc/passwd
Mapping of user IDs to names
name="who am i | cut -f1 -d" ""
to set name to current login name.
DIAGNOSTICS
line too long
A line can have no more than 1023 characters or
fields or the Newline is missing.
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.
no fields The list is empty.
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Licensed material--property of copyright holder(s)
cut(1)
no delimeterMissing char on -d option.
cannot handle multiple adjacent backspaces
Adjacent backspaces cannot be processed correctly.
cannot open <filename>
Either filename cannot be read or does not exist. If
multiple filenames are present, processing continues.
SEE ALSO
grep(1), paste(1).
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Licensed material--property of copyright holder(s)