Need help with substrings in UNIX scripting

[javsap]

I am not able to get substring syntax using awk to work in my UNIX script (using IBM AIX and Korn Shell). I want to look at the first record from my data files and then copy the data file to a new file name based on a string in the first record. In the example (first record from data file) below the data file is called "btpy30". I want to look at "PY3012B" in the first record below and since I have "B" at the end I want to copy this data file btpy30 to btpy30b. I would really appreciate it if anybody has any ideas on how to accomplish this! Thanks for your help.

Example of record:

PY3012B 04 ME06302003 12B MED PAYROLL EXPENDITURE ME0406302003
20030630011000 3314 NN 04
000000000000011311
1.08

 

[vgersh99]

#!/bin/ksh

file='btpy30'
read first - < ${file}
cp ${file} ${file}${first#${first%?}}

# FYI
#to get the last char. - ksh
#suf=${first#${first%?}}

#to get the last char. - sed
#suf=$(echo ${first} | sed &quot;s/.*\(.\)$/\1/&quot


vlad
+----------------------------+
| #include<disclaimer.h> |
+----------------------------+

 

[javsap]

Thanks so much Vlad for your solution..
It works except I am getting this error message....

copy[4]: -: This is not an identifier.

Can the &quot;-&quot; be replaced by another character? Also, is there any way to write the substring character in lower case...thanks again..

 

[vgersh99]

You have to adjust the posted script for your particular application. Try this:

#!/bin/ksh

file='btpy30'
read first junk < ${file}
typeset -l suffix=&quot;${first#${first%?}}&quot;
cp &quot;${file}&quot; &quot;${file}${suffix}&quot;

vlad
+----------------------------+
| #include<disclaimer.h> |
+----------------------------+

 

[javsap]

I got the script to work...

You are awesome vlad!!