Bash can do string operations. LOTS of string operations. This is an introduction to bash string operations for those new to Bash's special tool/feature called "Parameter Expansion", (PE), with a focus on typical string operations. Note Bash's Parameter Expansion, (PE), capability is a lot more powerful than the typical string manipulation calls you may be used to. There are some twists in the road up ahead.
Here is a list of some typical string manipulation functions/subroutines that you may already be familiar with:
- strlen
- leftstr
- rightstr
- substr
- midstr
- basename
- dirname
- getext
- dropext
This article will cover how to do all of these using the Bash PE and will introduce the more powerful actions available with PE's. Please note there is a BasfFaq about PE's already. That FAQ cover's more of the scope of PE capabilities, where this one instead focuses on string operations.