print output to same file

[chz013]

Hi
I have a data file, named a_data, which contains like this:
3100340001|02.02.29|28800|03/20/2002|

I manage to write a simple awk script that converts
03/20/2002 to 2002-03-20:
ie
mlc_year = substr($4,7,4)
mlc_month = substr($4,1,2)
mlc_day = substr($4,4,2)
mlc_full_date = mlc_year"-" mlc_month "-" mlc_day
$4 = mlc_full_date
print $4

How do I write back to a_data file such that it contains
3100340001|02.02.29|28800|2002-03-20|

Any help is fully appreciated.
Thanks

 

[chz013]

Vlad
which problem does this solve using

#!/usr/bin/nawk -f

OR

#!/usr/xpg4/bin/awk -f

Yes I'm using Solaris SUNOS 5.8

 

[vgersh99]

well.... let me put it this WAY:

not using Solaris's OLD awk fixes MOST awk-related problems regarding old/incompatible/functionality-lacking features.

In your particular instance, the OLD awk doesn't support FS as a 'full-blown' REGEX.

Use either of the awk interpreters I've mentioned above.


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

 

[chz013]

Vlad
thanks for the advice
using #!/usr/xpg4/bin/awk -f

prevents the error &quot;too many columns&quot;

 

[vgersh99]

Boy, I could be rich I'd charged a penny for every awk/nawk question under Solaris.........

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

 

[chz013]

Vlad
Thanks for your help in previous sections.

Using the above awk file to change date format,
how do I change the awk script such that
everytime is called, a new output file is created.

ie for example,

i have 3 files.
abc_st_1130
abc_st_1200
abc_st_1330

filename listing contains this:
abc_st_1130
abc_st_1200
abc_st_1330

In each file, it contains a structure like this:
3100340001|02.02.29|28800|03/20/2002|

My script looks like this:

while read st_file ; do
myawk.awk st_file
done < listing

In myawk.awk, what do I add or change so that after
executing myawk.awk st_file,
a new file with such naming convention, changed_dateformat_abc_st_1130 is created. In it,
it should already contain
3100340001|02.02.29|28900|2002-03-20|

At the end of the execution, I should have
changed_dateformat_abc_st_1130
changed_dateformat_abc_st_1200
changed_dateformat_abc_st_1330

 

[vgersh99]

You can either do it in awk directly OR in the shell wrapper. Here's a sample how to do in a wrapper. I assume your file pathnames can be anything: absolute, relative or whatever.

#-------------- Myscript.sh
#!/bin/ksh
newPrefix='changed_dateformat_'

while read st_file ; do
myawk.awk st_file > &quot;$(dirname ${st_file})/${newPrefix}$(basename ${st_file})&quot;
done < listing
#----------------------------


#!/usr/xpg4/bin/awk -f

BEGIN {
FS=&quot;(\\|)|(,)&quot;
OFS=&quot;|&quot;
{
split($4, arr, &quot;/&quot;
$4=arr[3] &quot;-&quot; arr[1] &quot;-&quot; arr[2]
print
}



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