Re: what is the use of -c parameter of column(1), can you demonstrate with an example?

[Camaleón <noelamac@gmail.com>]

On Tue, 02 Nov 2010 19:29:12 +0800, Zhang Weiwu wrote:

> from man column(1)
> 
>      -c      Output is formatted for a display columns wide.
> 
> Try:
> 
> almustafa@orphalese:~$ echo aaa bbb | column  -c 20
> 
> 
> expected result (17 spaces):
> 
> aaa                bbb
> 
> actual result:
> 
> almustafa@orphalese:~$ echo aaa bbb | column  -c 20 aaa bbb
> 
> Confusing. Or do I misunderstand the purpose of column(1)?

Try:

column -c 50 /etc/group

And you'll get a better understanding.

Greetings,

-- 
Camaleón