Unix - Sorting in shell script

Question

How to sort a file based on field postion?

For eg. I need to sort the below given file. Based on 4th,5th and 8th positions. Please help. I tried the following command, i

Answer 1

Try this command:

sort -k4,4 -k5,5 -k8,8 input.txt

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From the sort manual:

   -k, --key=POS1[,POS2]
          start a key at POS1, end it at POS2 (origin 1)

   POS  is  F[.C][OPTS], where F is the field number and C the character position in the field.  OPTS is
   one or more single-letter ordering options, which override global ordering options for that key.   If
   no key is given, use the entire line as the key.

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In your command:
-k 3.42,44 means start from (42th char of 3rd field) to (44th field).
Do you mean -k 3.42,3.44?