in reply to Re: Delimited File Analysis One-Liner?
in thread Delimited File Analysis One-Liner?

Thanks for the tip, BrowserUk. Always fun to learn a new trick.

I've generalized your code to match any column, where i is the column:

perl -F, -anE '$m<($x=length $F[i]) and $m=$x}{say $m' file.csv

I'd still use yours if I'm only looking in the first column. I wonder if there's a way to continue on that same idea (using index) and count delimiters out to a particular column and then save the distance between the most recent delimiters. Probably wouldn't be a one-liner at that point.

Also, curious about your use of $1. Is it a shell variable? Executing your command as written (in bash) doesn't give me any output, I have to switch the single and double quotes. Then I have to use a different variable, Perl won't let me assign to $1.

Strange things are afoot at the Circle-K.

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Re^3: Delimited File Analysis One-Liner?
by BrowserUk (Patriarch) on May 02, 2012 at 16:19 UTC
    I wonder if there's a way to continue on that same idea (using index) and count delimiters out to a particular column

    No. Beyond the first column, -aF, is about as efficient as it gets.

    Also, curious about your use of $1.

    You need to get a better font! It isn't $1, (one) but rather $l (for length) and $m (for max).

    With any reasonable font they should be distinct, but I see it was a bad chioce for posting here.

    With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday'
    Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
    "Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".
    In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.

    The start of some sanity?
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[d/l]
[select]

      lol! Well, that explains why I was scratching my head. *goes font hunting*

      Strange things are afoot at the Circle-K.
[reply]

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