NAME

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

SYNOPSIS

fmlcut −clist [filename ...]
fmlcut −flist [−dchar] [−s] [filename ...]

DESCRIPTION

The fmlcut function cuts out columns from a table or fields from each line in filename; in database parlance, it implements the projection of a relation.  fmlcut can be used as a filter; if filename is not specified or is −, the standard input is read.  list specifies the fields to be selected.  Fields can be fixed length (character positions) or variable length (separated by a field delimiter character), depending on whether −c or −f is specified. 

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

OPTIONS

list A comma-separated list of integer field numbers (in increasing order), with optional − to indicate ranges.  For example: 1,4,7; 1−3,8; −5,10 (short for 1−5,10); or 3− (short for third through last field). 

−clist If −c is specified, list specifies character positions (for instance, −c1−72 would pass the first 72 characters of each line).  Note:  No space intervenes between −c and list. 

−flist If −f is specified, list is a list of fields assumed to be separated in the file by the default delimiter character, TAB, or by char if the −d option is specified.  For example, −f1,7 copies the first and seventh field only.  Lines with no delimiter characters are passed through intact (useful for table subheadings), unless −s is specified.  Note:  No space intervenes between −f and list.  The following options can be used if you have specified −f. 

−dchar If −d is specified, char is the field delimiter.  Space or other characters with special meaning to FMLI must be quoted.  Note:  No space intervenes between −d and char .  The default field delimiter is TAB. 

−s Suppresses lines with no delimiter characters.  If −s is not specified, lines with no delimiters will be passed through untouched. 

EXAMPLES

The following example gets the login IDS and names. 

example% fmlcut −d: −f1,5 /etc/passwd

The next example gets the current login name. 

example% `who am i | fmlcut −f1 −d" "`

SEE ALSO

fmlgrep(1F)

DIAGNOSTICS

fmlcut returns the following exit values:

0 when the selected field is successfully cut out

2 on syntax errors

The following error messages may be displayed on the FMLI message line:

ERROR:  line too long
A line has more than 1023 characters or fields, or there is no new-line character.

ERROR:  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. 

ERROR:  no fields
The list is empty. 

ERROR:  no delimiter
Missing char on −d option. 

NOTES

fmlcut cannot correctly process lines longer than 1023 characters, or lines with no newline character. 

Sun Microsystems  —  Last change: 5 Jul 1990