Inserting spaces using SED/AWK ?

aravindts · 09-29-2006, 02:45 AM

Hi All,

I have a requirement to insert two spaces in a file.
The file is of size 350 mb.

The file has 182 characters in each line and i need to insert spaces in positions 174 and 175.The rest of the file content should not be altered .

After inserting the spaces, there should be 184 characters in each line, including spaces.

I am new to unix programming.Please help.

Thanks in advance,
Aravind

konsolebox · 09-29-2006, 03:07 AM

hello aravindts. please try this command.

# cat FILE | sed -i s/"^.\{173\}"/"& "/ > OUTPUTFILE

or to modify directly

# sed -i s/"^.\{173\}"/"& "/ FILE

aravindts · 09-29-2006, 04:22 AM

thnx Konsolebox,

i tried your way it says illegal option -i
any other way you know ??

konsolebox · 09-29-2006, 05:04 AM

perhaps you're using an old version of sed sorry about my first statement. it should be

# cat FILE | sed s/"^.\{173\}"/"& "/ > OUTPUTFILE

aravindts · 09-29-2006, 05:28 AM

Konsolebox,(I would love to know your real name :-) )

This works.

Thank you very much.

Regards,
Aravind