banging my head against the wall (despite what Craig Brooksby says, I am not the smart one) simple script... #!/bin/sh infile="/tmp/outfile.txt" outfile="/tmp/default_user.php" > $outfile for i in `cat $infile`; \ do \ if ${i:6:5} = "START" then printf $i >> $outfile else printf "if (!function_exists('_prefs_hook_$i')) { \n\n" >> $outfile fi done # head -n 4 /tmp/outfile.txt **** START OF SECTION - horde - **** default_identity identities identityselect #### gives you the idea of what I'm working on... What I am trying to do is see if line has "***** START ... and if so, write it to the outfile otherwise, write the other (else) The else works fine but the IF evaluates as a local file and not the value the 5 characters after the 6 offset and tries to execute it - which of course generates a whole pile of standard error junk. How do I do this in bash? Craig --------------------------------------------------- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change you mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss