NAME

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

SYNOPSIS

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 data base parlance, it 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).  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 integer field numbers (in increasing order), with optional − to indicate ranges as in the −o option of nroff/troff for 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. 

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

HINTS

Use grep(1) to make horizontal “cuts” (by context) through a file, or paste(1V) to put files together column-wise (i.e., 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. 

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. 

SEE ALSO

grep(1), paste(1V). 

NEWS-OSRelease 4.1C