You want to extract the 2nd and 4th fields from a colon-separated file and then paste them side by side separated by a semicolon. Which command sequence achieves this?

hard🚀 Application Q9 of 15

Bash Scripting - Text Processing in Scripts

Acut -d ';' -f 2,4 file.txt | paste -d ':'

Bcut -d ':' -f 2 file.txt | cut -d ':' -f 4 file.txt | paste -d ';'

Ccut -d ':' -f 2 file.txt | paste -d ';' - <(cut -d ':' -f 4 file.txt)

Dpaste -d ':' -f 2,4 file.txt | cut -d ';'

Step-by-Step Solution

Solution:

Step 1: Extract fields 2 and 4 separately
cut -d ':' -f 2 file.txt pipes field 2 values to paste stdin; <(cut -d ':' -f 4 file.txt)> provides field 4 via process substitution.
Step 2: Paste with custom delimiter
paste -d ';' - <(cut ...)> joins corresponding lines from both inputs with semicolon.
Final Answer:
cut -d ':' -f 2 file.txt | paste -d ';' - <(cut -d ':' -f 4 file.txt)> -> Option C
Quick Check:
cut separate fields + paste process substitution = f2;f4 per line [OK]

Quick Trick: Use process substitution <(cut...) for paste second input [OK]

Common Mistakes:

MISTAKES

Trying to cut twice separately
Mixing delimiters incorrectly
Misusing paste options

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You want to extract the 2nd and 4th fields from a colon-separated file and then paste them side by side separated by a semicolon. Which command sequence achieves this?

Step 1: Extract fields 2 and 4 separately

Step 2: Paste with custom delimiter

Final Answer:

Quick Check:

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