All newlines are removed when saving cat output into a variable

Question

I have the following file

linux$ cat test.txt
toto
titi
tete
tata

Saving the cat output into a variable will discard the newlines

linux$ msgs=`cat test.txt`
linux$ echo $msgs
toto titi tete tata

How to keep the output containing the newlines in the variables?

Rotate

Answer 1

The shell is splitting the msgs variable so echo get multiple parameters. You need to quote your variable to prevent this to happen:

echo "$msgs"

Jest

Confusing yet simple. Bash in a nut-shell – Traveled

Answer 2

I had this:

echo $(cat myfile.sh) >> destination.sh

that was causing the problem, so I changed it to:

cat myfile.sh >> destination.sh

and that worked, lulz

Simpatico

why is the first one, the subbash removes newlines, i dont get it – Endurant

i found out why, it's because of the IFS, internal field separator, save it, set to blank , and restore it – Endurant

Answer 3

you can use the redirection "|"

echo | cat test.txt

Bluecoat

Doesn't answer the question nor make sense. cat ignores its standard input when passed file name(s) as argument. – Jest