NAME

cut − remove selected fields from each line of a file

SYNOPSIS

cut −clist [ filename ... ]
cut −flist [ −dc ] [ −s ] [ filename ... ]

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 of fixed length, i.e., character positions as on a punched card, or of variable 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. 

OPTIONS

−clist By character position.  list is a comma-separated list of integer field numbers (in increasing order), with an optional − to indicate ranges:

1,4,7 characters 1, 4 and 7

1−3,8 characters 1 through 3, and 8

−5,10 characters (1) through 5, and 10

3− characters 3 through (last)

−flist By field position.  Instead of character positions, list specifies fields that are separated a delimiter (normally a TAB):

1,4,7 fields 1, 4 and 7

Lines with no field delimiters are normally passed through intact (to allow for subheadings). 

−dc Set the field delimiter to c. The default is a TAB.  SPACE, or a character with special meaning to the shell must be quoted. 

−s Suppress lines with no delimiter characters. 

EXAMPLES

cut −d: −f1,5 /etc/passwd
mapping of user IDs to names

name=who am i | cut −f1 −d" "
to set name to the 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(1V), paste(1). 

Sun Release 3.5  —  Last change: 28 March 1986