READ removing white space, destroying fixed length records

[tony500]

I have a data file with fixed length records starting with an ID number. I have another file with a list of ID numbers and names. I'm comparing the data file to the list file and removing any record in the data file that doesn't have a match in the list file. When I do this, the READ comand is removing the white space and in effect destroying the fixed length records. Any suggestions how to fix this?


MY SCRIPT:
while read LINE
do
grep "`echo "${LINE}" | cut -f${1} -d ' '`" ${3} > /dev/null
if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
echo "found some good stuff"
echo $LINE >> goodstuff
else
echo $LINE >> badstuff
fi
printf "%s" $LINE
done

Any suggestions? Please Help!
Tony You can usually find me at

http://www.constantreader.net

 

[olded]

Tony:

before your line

while read LINE

try changing field seperator IFS to some unused character. That should preserve the white space. At least it does on my SCO Open Server V box.

Regards,

Ed

 

[Boria]

Hi Tony,
if your file has no white spaces at the end of line you can do like this:
nl -s' ' FirstInFl |&
# This line writes number at begin of line
while read -p LINE
# your comparing
.........
L1=${LINE#*}
# This line erases first from value of parameter
.........
echo "$L1" >> goodstaff
....
echo "$L1" >> badstaff
fi
done

Regards Boris