how to find exact results from grep
 

My question is if i use a grep to find a statement from /etc/default/password
what coding should i need if /etc/default/passwd is 'passlength=' which is empty right after = because grep always takes the any stuff that matches it like 'passlength=2'.

heres my coding
if grep 'PASSLENGTH=' /etc/default/passwd
then
echo exception Yes
else
echo exception No
fi
Thanks in advance

Assuming there's an end-of-line right after 'PASSLENGTH=', you can use

Please use code tags around your codes. It preserves formatting and makes it easier to read.

Form the regex accordingly. I'm assuming passlength= starts on a new line and has nothing after it, ie:

Try:
You may also wish to use the --quiet option to grep to suppress printing of any matching lines if using it a script.

Thank you both of you. It works now.

Looking at your previous thread, you may want to read up on regex's. Here's a start:http://www.grymoire.com/Unix/Regular.html

Her's another link http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/servic...nix/regex.html