Comparing characters in text file 1

[JtheRipper]

Hi there,

I have a directory of files with all the same length and format i.e. 040601LV*, where * can be anything from A-Z, but single characters only, so no AA, AB, etc and the letter closest to A will show me the oldest file.

I want to compare the last character of each file, I can already loop through all files and read the last character in a variable with the help of the cut command. Now I want to compare the last letter of each file, start with the oldest file (letter A or closest to A is oldest), do something, go to next file and exit when done.

How do I compare the letters to one another and figure out which one is "older" than the other? I have thought of creating another text file with letters A-Z and giving them numerical values, but any other ideas will be appreciated!

Thanks,
J.

 

[PHV]

The following loop list the files, oldest first:
for file in 040601LV*
do
echo $file
done


Hope This Help, PH.
Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884 or FAQ222-2244

 

[JtheRipper]

Great! Thanks a lot, exactly what I wanted.

Now, can you pls explain WHY it works? Will the loop automatically list the files alphabetically?

Thanks again,
J.

 

[PHV]

This is how the shell globbing works.
When in the relevant directory, simply execute this command:
echo 040601LV*


Hope This Help, PH.
Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884 or FAQ222-2244