Introduction
There are lots of the reason why you may need to extract the filename and extension of a file in Bash:
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To govern the file title or extension – You might need to extract the filename or extension as a way to modify it, similar to including a prefix or suffix to the file title, or altering the file extension.
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To create a file with a novel title – You might need to extract the filename and extension as a way to create a brand new file with a novel title, similar to by including a timestamp or a random quantity to the file title.
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To make use of the file title or extension in a script or command – You might need to extract the filename or extension as a way to use it as an argument or enter for a script or command, similar to to move it to a program or to create a file with the identical title as a listing.
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To extract info from the file title or extension – You might need to extract the filename or extension as a way to extract info from it, such because the date or the file kind.
On this article, we’ll check out the three commonest methods you’ll be able to extract filename and file extension in Bash. We’ll check out every of them and provide the execs and cons, so you may make an informed determination on what strategy fits you the most effective.
Technique 1: Utilizing the basename Command
The basename command can be utilized to extract the filename and extension from a file path:
filename=$(basename /path/to/file.txt)
echo $filename
Though this methodology is kind of easy and simple to make use of, sadly, there isn’t a means we are able to extract solely the file title (with no extension) with none postprocessing.
You may also use the dirname command to extract the listing path individually:
listing=$(dirname /path/to/file.txt)
echo $listing
Execs:
- Easy to make use of
- Handles filenames with areas accurately
Cons:
- Solely extracts the filename and can’t extract the extension individually with out further processing
Technique 2: Utilizing Parameter Enlargement
Bash supplies a characteristic referred to as parameter growth, which lets you extract components of a variable utilizing a particular syntax. For instance, you should utilize the next syntax to extract the filename and extension from a file path saved in a variable:
filepath="/path/to/file.txt"
filename=${filepath##*/}
echo $filename
You may also use parameter growth to extract the extension individually:
extension=${filename##*.}
echo $extension
Execs:
- Versatile
- Can extract each the filename and extension individually,
- Handles filenames with areas accurately
Cons:
- Requires a variable to retailer the file path
Technique 3: Utilizing the awk command
The awk command is a strong textual content processing software that can be utilized to extract components of a string. For instance, you should utilize the next syntax to extract the filename and extension from a file path:
filepath="/path/to/file.txt"
filename=$(echo $filepath | awk -F/ '{print $NF}')
echo $filename
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You may also use awk to extract the extension individually:
extension=$(echo $filename | awk -F. '{print $NF}')
echo $extension
Execs:
- Highly effective
- Can extract each the filename and extension individually
- Handles filenames with areas accurately
Cons:
- Syntax could also be unfamiliar to some customers
- Requires piping the file path by
awk
Conclusion
General, extracting the filename and extension of a file in Bash generally is a helpful method for working with information and performing numerous duties within the Bash shell.
Every of talked about strategies has its personal benefits and downsides, and your best option will rely in your particular wants and preferences. It’s typically helpful to be aware of a number of approaches as a way to select the one that’s best suited to your state of affairs.
