Retrieving data from between characters in file 1

[keithlages]

I need help retrieving just the number thats in a line between certain characters.

I can take the file, fold it to get my lines, then tail it to get the bottom lines and grep out the line I need:

example: GE*184*23058967

What I really need now is a way to get what is between 'GE*' and the second '*'. I need the '184' basically.

I'm a little lost using awk and I could really use some help here.

 

[hoinz]

man cut;
look at -d and -f options

hth

 

[PHV]

A starting point:
sed -n '/GE\*/s!.*GE\*\([^*]*\)\*.*!\1!p' /path/to/input

Hope This Helps, PH.
Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884 or FAQ181-2886

 

[keithlages]

point given to hoinz!

that was what i needed! i think sed and awk might be a little over my head for now.

cut is my new best friend!!
here it is:
# fold tesfile | tail testfile | grep GE | cut -f 2 -d "*"
183


perfect.

 

[hoinz]

thanks,
glad it helped