Very Computer

by **John** » Sun, 24 Nov 2002 09:54:08

I'm trying to sort a space deliminated file with six columns. I'd
like to sort columns 2 and 4 in ascending order then sort column 5
where columns 2and4 are uniq in decending numeric order.

Following command seems to work on solaris 2.6 but not on 2.8.

cat file|sort -k 2,4 -k 5nr

any ideas?

by **John** » Sun, 24 Nov 2002 12:09:33

> I'm trying to sort a space deliminated file with six columns. I'd
> like to sort columns 2 and 4 in ascending order then sort column 5
> where columns 2and4 are uniq in decending numeric order.

> Following command seems to work on solaris 2.6 but not on 2.8.

> cat file|sort -k 2,4 -k 5nr

> any ideas?

It is not clear what you want, in particular what do
"sort columns 2 and 4 " and
"where columns 2and4 are uniq" mean?

Some examples would be good.

But, from what you say, you do not mean "-k 2,4" as
this takes in column 3 which you do not want.
Try: sort -k2,2 -k4,4 -k5,5nr file (you do not need cat).

Now, why should it change from Solaris 2.6 to 8?
A couple of possibilities spring to mind.
1. different locales (LC_COLLATE).
2. sort is not stable -- there are no guarantees about
what happens to items that compare equal.
3. you are being misled because your arguments to
sort do not mean what you think they do.

John.

Very Computer

sorting multiple columns in different order

sorting multiple columns in different order

sorting multiple columns in different order