Hello. I have a text file that I want to cut in half, possibly 3rds. I cannot loose any information and will need to be able to verify that fact.
Basically, I have a large text file that I need to import into an access database. The problem is that once it is imported it is too big to do any type changing. So I need to break it up, do my changes, then appened the pieces into one database table.
I am thinking I can do this with head, tail, cat or something similar.
Is there a command that says find the length of this file and output the first half.
Jim

Try 'split'.

wc -l will tell you the number of lines in a file
head -n 'n' will print the first 'n' lines of a file to the screen
tail -n 'n' will print the last 'n' lines of a file to the screen

so string together with some pipes:
run wc to get number of lines, then divide in half (or by three), then run that figure as the argument to head -n

Thanks. That is what I was looking for. I just didn't have time to search through man pages. I have a deadline at my job and am delving into unknown territory.
You saved me much time and headaches. I am just learning about processing text and with so many ways to do things a good solid answer is very nice.
I am currently learning Unix tools and Scripts, Perl, C and my head is full of possibilities.
I look forward to contributing and answering others questions in the future.
Thanks again.