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Remove last \n in a file

Hi!

I must use a script, and the problem is that this script absolutly need in parameter a file, that have a liste of computer, one by line, the last line too.

I cannot modify the script.

The problem is that all program I've tried, add a \n at the end of the programm, and the script think there is a one computer more.

So I need to remove the last \n in file(under linux(ubuntu)), I'm open to all suggestion(awk/sed/any other programm).

Thanks for your help

ghostdog74

use a while read loop
eg


while read line
do
# do something with "$line"
done < file

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Nargzul

ASKER

Hum, I don't understand how it's can remove the last \n ???

Tintin

Just edit the parameter file with whatever editor you like and remove the last blank line.

Nargzul

ASKER

I've tried, with vim, gedit, ... but after this, if you make a "cat", you see that the prompt comes a line after, because they all add this line.

omarfarid

can you provide sample file

Nargzul

ASKER

No probs
testfile.txt

Tintin

Can you show us the section of the script that reads the file. It must be doing something *very* strange indeed to give the behaviour you describe.

Nargzul

ASKER

I don't have it, I've a program already compiled in C++, given by a professor, and we must just touch parameter files.

simon3270

awk '{if (NR == 1) printf("%s",$0); else printf("\n%s",$0)} file

simon3270

Oops, missed out the trailing quote:

awk '{if (NR == 1) printf("%s",$0); else printf("\n%s",$0)}' file

This prints out the first line without its trailing newline, then precedes each subsequent line with a newline.

Nargzul

ASKER

I was thinking your script will works, but I don't understand, there is always a \n at the end of the file :/

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

simon3270

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Nargzul

ASKER

The problem was that the furnished file has \r too, I've removed these, and thereafter I've used your command, I now it's all ok!

Thanks a lot!