unix - count of columns in file

Question

Given a file with data like this (i.e. stores.dat file)

sid|storeNo|latitude|longitude
2|1|-28.03720000|153.42921670
9|2|-33.85090000|151.03274200
         


        

Answer 1

awk -F'|' '{print NF; exit}' stores.dat 

Just quit right after the first line.