How to Append a String Before Printing Text Using cat in Linux

Learn how to replace file extensions effectively in Linux using simple command-line tools like `cat`. Our guide will show you how to change `.txt` to `.jpg` seamlessly!
---

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: how to append string before print text using cat?

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
How to Append a String Before Printing Text Using cat in Linux

When working with files in Linux, you might sometimes need to manipulate text within those files. A common task is to change file extensions or modify text. For instance, you may have a file containing several filenames ending in .txt, and you want to print those filenames while changing the extension to .jpg.

However, if you're not familiar with command-line tools, this can seem a bit daunting. Don’t worry; we’ll walk you through a solution step-by-step.

Understanding the Problem

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

The challenge is to print the same names, but instead of *.txt, you want them to reflect a .jpg extension. While tools like cut can help you slice through the text structure, they don't offer a straightforward way to add a different suffix, hence the requirement for a different approach.

The Solution

Using sed for Replacement

One of the most powerful tools for text manipulation in Linux is sed, a stream editor. It allows you to perform basic text transformations on an input stream (a file, in this case). Here’s how you can use it to replace .txt with .jpg efficiently.

Step by Step Instructions

Run the sed Command:
Use the following command to replace the .txt suffix with .jpg:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Explanation:

sed: Invokes the sed command.

's/.txt/.jpg/g': This is the substitution pattern:

s: stands for substitute.

.txt: the text to find.

.jpg: the text to replace it with.

g: stands for global replacement, meaning it will replace all occurrences in the line.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Now, you should see your filenames updated to end with the .jpg extension!

Conclusion

Manipulating text in Linux using command-line tools can seem complex at first, but tools like sed make the job straightforward. By following the simple command provided, you can efficiently change file extensions or make other text adjustments as needed.

Feel free to reach out if you have any further questions about using Linux commands or manipulating text files. Happy coding!