cut(C)                          19 June 1992                          cut(C)


 Name

    cut - cut out selected fields of each line of a file

 Syntax

    cut -c list [ file1 file2 ... ]

    cut -f list [ -d char ] [ -s ] [ file1 file2 ... ]

 Description

    Use cut to cut out columns from a table or fields from each line of a
    file.  The fields as specified by list can be fixed length, that is,
    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).  cut can be used as a filter.  If no files are
    given, the standard input is used.

    The meanings of the options are:

    list    A comma-separated list of integers (in increasing order), with an
            optional dash (-), indicates ranges, as in the -o option of
            nroff/troff for page ranges; for example, 1,4,7; 1-3,8; -5,10
            (short for 1-5,10); or 3- (short for third through last field).

    -c list The list following -c (no space) specifies character positions
            (for example, -c1-72 would keep the first 72 characters of each
            line).

    -f list The list following -f is a list of fields assumed to be separated
            in the file by a delimiter character (see -d); for example, -f1,7
            copies the first and seventh field only.  Lines with no field de-
            limiters will be passed through intact (useful for table subhead-
            ings), unless -s is specified.

    -d char 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      If the -f option is used, -s suppresses lines with no delimiter
            characters.  Unless specified, lines with no delimiters will be
            passed through untouched.

    Either the -c or -f option must be specified.

 Notes

    Use grep(C) to make horizontal ``cuts'' (by context) through a file, or
    paste(C) to put files together horizontally.  To reorder columns in a
    table, use cut and paste.

 Examples


    cut -d: -f 1,5 /etc/passwd    Maps user ID's to names.

    name=`who am i | cut -f1 -d" "`
                                  Sets name to current login name.

 See also

    grep(C), paste(C)

 Diagnostics


    line too long       A line can have no more than 511 characters or
                        fields.

    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.

 Standards conformance

    cut is conformant with:

    AT&T SVID Issue 2;
    and X/Open Portability Guide, Issue 3, 1989.