sort in bash, sort based part of column

Question

I have a file like:

a1 blah
b2 blah
a3 blah
b1 blah
b3 blah
a2 blah

if I do

sort -k1,1 file.name

I'll get this:

a1
a2
a3
b1
b2
b3

However, I want to get this order:

a1
b1
a2
b2
a3
b3

how can I do that? Thanks

Edit: I edited the example, the previous one didn't present the whole problem

fedorqui · Accepted Answer · 2013-04-19 13:38:17Z

2

You are looking for sort -kN.M! N.M indicates sort to start from the Mth character on Nth field.

Initial solution:

sort -k1.2 your_file

Updated one:

sort -k1.2,k1.2 your_file

so it will just sort by this specific character and won't go further.

Output:

a1 blah
b1 blah
a2 blah
b2 blah
a3 blah
b3 blah

edited Apr 19, 2013 at 13:38

answered Apr 19, 2013 at 13:22

fedorqui

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4 Comments

fedorqui Over a year ago

My solution still fits on your desired output. Can you elaborate a little more what is wrong?

iruvar Over a year ago

@user2207811 try sort -k1.2,1.2 your_file

fedorqui Over a year ago

OK, now I see the difference. As blah would be something different, a1 blah would be after b1 alah with my answer. Thanks @ravoori. Anyway, user2207811, if your input is not representative and the question does not explicitly state the problem then don't be surprised when an answer doesn't not work for cases that you failed to mention.

fedorqui Over a year ago

OK, thanks. We all learnt something: me the sort -k1.2,1.2 issue. You to indicate proper input and output. Cheers!

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