Bash – printf output running over into next line

bash-scriptprintf

I have created Bash SS in vi. My output is running over into the line below it. I am new to UNIX so I'm trying to learn. My output is displayed using printf.

printf "%-15s %15s %15s %2d\n %2s " $name $days $phone $start $time

The output looks like this for example

name       days       phone      start 

time name    days       phone      start

time name    days       phone      start 

etc...

How do I get all five of my variables to print on same line?

Best Answer

Your command:

printf "%-15s %15s %15s %2d\n %2s " $name $days $phone $start $time

Your problem:

'...\n %2s'

You're inserting a newline before $time. Stop that. Do:

printf '%-15s %15s %15s %2d %2s\n' \
    "$name" "$days" "$phone" "$start" "$time"

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Usage:
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It determines the current screen height in lines, subtracts out enough for its own output, then repeatedly executes the command given, then clears the screen, displays the output and waits for the next loop. It displays a short '==' at the bottom to signify that's where the output ended. Sometime's it's helpful to know this.

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Best Answer

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