Split Based On Text Change In The First Column 1

[azekry]

I have an ascii file with 5 columns. In the first column after many rows the text changes to a different text e,g test1 and then after some rows test2 and so on. Is there a way to separate into different files based on that change e.g all the the 5 columns of test1 are saved to a file and then test2 and so on whenever the text in the first column changes.

Thanks

 

[mikrom]

Next time you should post the example iinput file and show some code you tried.

I suppose that your imput file is sorted by the first column and looks like:
azekry.txt

foo 2 3 4 5
foo 2 3 4 5
foo 2 3 4 5
bar 2 3 4 5
bar 2 3 4 5
baz 2 3 4 5
baz 2 3 4 5
baz 2 3 4 5
baz 2 3 4 5

then the following script
azekry.awk

# Run:
# awk -f azekry.awk azekry.txt
{
  if (value[$1]) {
    value[$1] = value[$1]++
  }
  else {
    value[$1] = 1
    fname = "azekry_"$1".txt"
    #print fname
  }
  print $0 > fname
}

writes 3 new files:
azekry_foo.txt

foo 2 3 4 5
foo 2 3 4 5
foo 2 3 4 5

azekry_bar.txt

bar 2 3 4 5
bar 2 3 4 5

azekry_baz.txt

baz 2 3 4 5
baz 2 3 4 5
baz 2 3 4 5
baz 2 3 4 5

 

[azekry]

Thank you very much for your kind help this is really great. i apologize for not posting an example file. As for code i am really just starting to learn.

 

[mikrom]

you are welcome