hi , I have a problem in Korn shell script(in dtksh) my program is like that...... #!/usr/dt/bin/dtksh awk ' BEGIN { FS = ":"; # print '$1','$2','$3' cmdargs = '$#' } { if( cmdargs == 3) { if( ($5 > '$2' && $5 < '$3') && ($1 ~ /'$1'/) ) printf("%-10s %-15s %4d %5d %10d\n",\ $1,$2,$3,$4,$5) | "sort -k 5,5n" } if( cmdargs == 1) { if( $1 ~ /'$1'/ ) printf("%-10s %-15s %4d %5d %10d\n",\ $1,$2,$3,$4,$5) | "sort -k 5,5n" } } ' cars and data file is like this ..... ford:mustang:77:73:2500 volvo:gl:78:102:10000 plym:fury:77:73:2500 chevy:nova:79:60:3000 chevy:nova:80:50:5500 fiat:600:65:115:450 honda:accord:81:30:6000 toyota:tercel:82:180:750 ----- my problem is when i put the three commandline arguments it will execute correctly...but if u put one commandline argument it gives an error. I don't know why it comes like that. can u please clarify me... i given commandline args like this and see the errors also... $ show_car2.ksh chevy 1000 6000 chevy nova 79 60 3000 chevy nova 80 50 5500 $ show_car2.ksh chevy awk: syntax error near line 9 awk: illegal statement near line 9 I executed this script in dtksh shell... please help asap... thank you very much bye - balaji

I see your problem, and have all the answers! Unfortunately I can't tell you. Sworn oath, ya see

I got the fault too. But you can be sure I will not answer to a A.S.A.P. request. Somtimes my boss told me to do scripting A.S.A.P, that's ok because he is paying for that. Here a hint: Anyway there are more than only one fault in this script. (Also from the logical point of view) But regarding to your error you have to thing about the values of the shell arguments. No RISK no fun Frank

Are you still looking for the solution, including sorting?